IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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_Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STMiT 

WEBSTiR,N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)873-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Inatitut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 

D 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  inl(  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  biacic)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppidmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  f ilmage 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


D 
D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxec 
Pages  d^coiordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualiti  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 


|~~|  Pages  damaged/ 

I      I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~1  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

rri  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 


f 

s 


T 
si 
T 
w 

i 

bt 

ri! 
re 
m 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmtes  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  d 
obtenir  la  meille  ire  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


aox 


24X 


28X 


32X 


ire 

details 
les  du 
modifier 
per  une 
filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanlts 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  naticnale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


6es 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  fitre 
filmds  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


errata 
d  to 

It 

a  pelure, 

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3 

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5 

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HARDSOKABBLE; 


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OB,  *U 


FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


A  TALE  OF  INDUN  WABFARB. 


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BT  MAJOR  RICHARDSON. 

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«v  -wAOontAt^  '  jdAan,**  "tuTOWA  nonoomui,'*  no,  ■•. 


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NEW    YORK: 

ROBERT   M.  DE  WITT,    PUBLISHER, 

160  &   162  NASSAU  STREET. 


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HARDSCRABBLK; 


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T  H  K    FALL     OF    CHICAGO 


Ir 


CHAPTER   I. 


,ij»i  . 
■•i;:^;'' 


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It  W9S  on  a  beaatiful  day  in  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  April,  18JIB, 
that  four  persons  were  met  in  a  rude  farni-hoase,  situated  on  the  Soatherii 
Branch  of  the  Chicago  river,  and  about  four  miles  distant  from  the. fort  of 
that  name.  They  bad  just  risen  from  their  humble  mid-day  meal,  and  threo 
of  them  wei'e  now  lingering  near  the  fire-place,  filled  with  bl^^ng  logi^ 
which,  at  that  early  season,  diffused  a  warmth  by  no  means  disagreeable^ 
and  gave  an  ajir  of  cheerfulness  to  the  interior  qf  the  smoke-disoolore^, build- 
ing.     ,,•,,'.     r     ■         '...'     ...    ,  :        _:     ■''.;>     ;  '  "  .'   "      '.'.''     '     ' .. 

He  wlio  appeared  to  be  master  of  the  establishment  was  a  tall,  good  look- 
ing man  of  about  forty-five,  who  had,  evidently,  been  long  a  denizen  of  the 
fpreBt,  for  his  bronzed  countenance  bore  traces  of  care  and  toil,  while  his 
rugged,  yet  well-formed  hands  conveyed  the  impression  of  the  unceasing 
war  he  had  waged  against  the  gigantic  trees  of  this  Western  land.  He  was 
habited  in  a  bunting-frock  of  grey  homespun,  reaching  about  half  way  down 
to  bis  knee,  and  trimmed  with  a  full  fringe  of  a  somewhat  darker  hue.  His 
trowsers  were  of  the  same  material,  and  both  were  girt  around  his  loins  bjf 
a  common  belt  of  black  leather,  fastened  by  a  plain  white  buckle,  in|» 
yrbich  was  thrusit  a  sheath  of  black  leather  also,  containing  a  large  knife 
peculiar  to  the  backwoodsmen  of  that  day.  His  feet  were  encased  in 
D;LOCcasins,  and  on  his  head,  covered  with  strong  dark  hair,  was  carelessly 
donned  a  slouched  hat  of  common  black  felt,  with  several  plaited  folds  of  tb© 
sweet  grass  of  the  adjoining  prairie  for  a  band.  He  was  seemingly  a  man 
of  strong  muscular  power,  while  his  stern  dark  eye  denoted  firmness  and 
during. 

The  elder  of  the  two  men,  to  whom  this  individ;  al  stood,  evidently,  ill 
the  character  of  a  superior,  was  a  short  thick-set  person  of  about  fifty,  witl^ 
huge  whiskers  that,  originally  blatk,  had  been  slightly  grizzled  by  time. 
His  eyebrows  were  bushy  and  overhanging,  and  almost  concealed  the  small, 
and  twinkling  eyes,  wliich  it  required  the  beholder  to  encounter  more  than 
once  before  he  could  decide  their  true  color  to  be  a  dark  gray.  A  blanket 
coat  that  had  once  been  white,  but  which  the  action  of  some  half  dozen  win- 


::'.^H 


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X  '■  '-Ii 


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UARDSCK\QUI.K  ;     UR, 


ters  had  changed  into  a  dirty  yellow,  em  etopod  liis  ruther  full  form,  around 
irhioh  it  was  confined  by  a  coarse  worsted  nusIi  of  mingled  blue  and  red, 
thickly  studded  with  minute  white  bcndri.  His  trowHcrs,  with  broad  seama,  - 
after  the  fashion  of  tiie  Indi<in  leggin,  were  of  a  daric  crimson,  approaching 
to  a  brick-dust  color,  and  on  )iis  feet  he  wore  the  stiff  shoe-pack,  which,  with 
the  bonnet  bleu  on  iiis  grizzled  head,  and  tlie  other  piiriH  of  his  dress  already 
described,  attested  liitn  to  be  what  lie  was—  a  French  Canadian.  Close  at  his 
heels,  and  moving  as  he  moved,  or  squatted  on  his  haunches,  gazing  into  the 
face  of  his  master  when  stationary,  was  a  large  dog  of  the  mongrel  breed 
peculiar  to  the  country — evidently  with  wolf  blood  in  his  veins. 

His  companion  was  of  a  different  stylo  of  figure  and  costume.  He  was  a 
thin,  weak'looking  man,  of  middle  heigiit,  with  a  complexion  that  denoted 
his  Saxon  origin.  Very  thin  brows,  retrotusi  nose,  and  a  light  gray  eye  in 
which  tfiight  be  traced  an  expression  half  simple,  half  cunning,  completed 
the  pictupe  of  this  personage,  whose  lank  body  was  enc&'^ed  in  an  old  Ameri- 
can uniform  of  faded  blue,  so  scanty  in  its  proportions  that  the  wrists  of  the 
wearer  wholly  exposed  themselves  beneath  the  short,  narrow  sleeves,  while 
the  skirts  only  "  shadowed  not  concealed,"  that  part  of  the  body  they  had 
been  originally  intended  to  cover.  A  pair  of  blue  pantaloons,  perfectly  in 
keeping,  on  the  score  of  scantiness  and  age,  with  the  coat,  covered  the 
attenuated  lower  limbs  of  the  wearer,  on  whose  head,  moreover,  was  stuck 
a  conical  cap  that  had  all  the  appearance  of  having  been  once  a  portion  of 
the  same  uniform,  and  had  only  undergone  change  in  the  loss  of  its  peak. 
A  small  black  leather,  narrow  ridged  stock  was  clasped  around  his  thin,  and 
■care-crow  neck,  and  that  so  tightly  that  it  was  the  wonder  of  his  compan- 
ions how  strangulation  had  so  long  been  avoided.  A  dirty,  and  very  coarse 
linen  shirt,  showed  itself  partially  between  the  bottom  of  the  stock,  and  the 
uppermost  button  of  the  coat,  which  was  carefully  closed,  while  his  feet  were 
protected  from  the  friction  of  the  stiff,  though  nearly  wornout,  military 
shoes,  by  wisps  of  hay,  that  supplied  the  absence  of  the  sock.  This  man 
was  about  five  and  thirty. 

The  last  of  the  little  party  was  a  boy.  He  was  a  raw-boned  lad  of  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  of  fair  complexion,  with  blue  eyes,  and  an  immense 
,  head  of  bushy  hair,  of  the  same  hue,  Which  seemed  never  to  have  known 
the  use  of  the  comb.  His  feet  were  naked,  and  his  trowsers  and  shirt,  the 
only  articles  of  dress  upon  him  at  the  moment,  were  of  a  homespun  some- 
what resembling  in  color  the  hunting  frock  of  his  master.  A  thick  black 
leather  strap  was  also  around  his  loins — evidently  part  of  an  old  bridle 
rein. 

The  two  men  first  described,  drew  near  the  fire  and  lighted  their  pipes. 
The  €x-militaire  thrust  a  quid  of  tobacco  into  his  cheek,  and  taking  up  a 
small  piece  of  pine  board  that  rested  against  the  chimney  corner,  split  a  por- 
tion off  this  with  his  jack-knife,  and  commenced  whittling.  The  boy  busied 
himself  in  clearing  the  table,  throwing  occasionally  scraps  of  bread  and  dried 
venison,  which  had  constituted  the  chief  portion  of  the  meal,  to  the  dog, 
which,  however,  contrary  to  custom,  paid  little  attention  to  these  marks  of 
lavor,  but  moved  impatiently,  at  intervals,  to  the  door,  then  returning,  squat* 
'  ted  himself  again  on  his  haunches,  at  a  short  distance  from  his  master,  and 


V 


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1 


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•  THR     FALL    OP    CUIOAOO.  f 

attering  a  \ow  dwiiiid  betwixt  a  whiue  and  a  growl,  looked  piteously  up  into 
his  face. 

" Vat  the  devil  is  de  matter  wid  you,  Loup  Garou ?'  remarked  the  Cana- 
dian ut  lun^'tii,  a8,  removing  the  pipe  from  liin  lips,  lio  Htretched  liia  lega,  and 
poiaed  liitnseU'  in  his  low  wood-bottomed  chair,  putting  forth  his  right  hand 
at  the  same  time  to  his  canine  follower.  "  You  not  eat,  and  you  make  noise 
08  if  you  wish  me  to  see  one  racoon  in  de  tree." 

*  "Loup  Garou  don't  prate  about  coons  I  guess,"  drawled  the  man  in  the 
faded  uniform,  without,  however,  removing  his  eyes  from  the  very  interest- 
ing occupation  in  which  he  was  engaged.  That  dog  I  take  it,  Le  Noir,  means 
something  else— something  more  than  we  human  critters  know.  By  gosh, 
boss,"  looking  for  the  fir.st  time  at  him  who  stood  in  that  position  to  tho 
rest  of  the  party — "  If  tee  can't  smell  the  varmint,  I  take  it  Loup  Garoa 
^  does." 

At  this  early  period  of  civilization,  in  these  remote  countries,  there  was 
little  distinction  of  rank  between  the  master  and  the  man — the  employer  and 
the  employed.  Indeed  the  one  was  distinguished  from  the  other  only  by  tbo 
.instructions  given  and  received,  in  regard  to  certain  services  to  be  performed. 
They  labored  together — took  their  meals  together — generally  smoked  together 
— drank  together— conversed  together,  and  if  they  did  not  absolutely  sleep 
together,  often  reposed  in  the  same  room.  There  was,  therefore,  nothing 
extraordinary  in  the  familiar  tone  in  which  the  ci-devant  soldier  uovf 
addressed  him  whose  hired  help  be  was.  The  latter,  however,  was  in  an 
irritable  mood,  and  he  answered  sharply. 

''  What  have  you  got  into  your  foolish  head  now,  Ephraim  Giles  ?  Ton 
do  nothing  but  prophesy  evil.  What  varmint  do  you  talk  of,  and  what  has 
Loup  Garou  to  do  with  it  f  Speak,  what  do  you  mean  ? — if  you  mean  any- 
thing at  all." 

As  he  uttered  this  half  rebuke,  he  rose  abruptly  from  his  chair,  shook  the 
ashes  from  his  pipe,  and  drew  himself  to  his  full  height,  with  his  back  to  the 
fire.  There  had  been  nothing  very  remarkable  in  the  observation  made  by 
the  man  to  whom  he  had  addressed  himself,  but  he  was  in  a  peculiar  state 
of  mind,  that  gave  nndne  importance  to  every  word,  sounding,  as  it  did,  a 
vague  presentiment  of  some  comio,^  evil,  which  the  very  singular  manner  of 
the  dog  had  created,  although  he  v  .ild  scarcely  acknowledge  this  to  himselfl 

The  man  made  no  reply,  but  oon'.';nned  whittling,  humming,  at  the  same 
time,  the  air  of  "  Yankee  Doodle." 

^^  Answer  me,  Ephraim  Giles,"  peremptorily  resumed  his  master ;  "  leave 
off  that  eternal  whittling  of  yours,  if  you  can,  and  explain  to  me  your 
meaning."        -;•■.•!).  t\,:.,  ■.■,.    ..■'■.,,;,,.;,,,;,;    [j  ;„,,,.,:.,.,..•,:..  ,, 

^'Etarnal  whittling!  do  you  call  it.  Boss?  I  guess  it's  no  such  thing. 
No  man  knows  better  nor  you,  that,  if  I  can  whittle  the  smallest  stick  in 
creation,  I  can  bring  down  the  stoutest  tree  as  well  as  ere  a  fellow  in 
Michigan.  Work  is  work — play  is  play.  It's  only  the  difference,  I  reckon, 
of  the  axe  and  the  knife."  i        .     ,;i ,  .       .,    ,    ,;    1    .u /tja 

"Will  you  answer  my  question  like  a  man,  and  not  like  a  fool,  as  you 
•re  f"  shouted  the  other,  stooping,  and  extending  his  left  hand,  the  fingers 
of  which  he  insinuated  into  the  stock  already .  described,  while,  witilji  a 


:| 


10 


HAR[)SCRiBBLE  ; 


OR, 


I'l 


powerful  Jerk,  he  buth  bruiiglit  tliu  man  to  Wn  foot,  aod  the  blood  iato  bit 
Qsuully  cfulaveroiis  cheek.  . .    i 

Eptiraiiii  GileH,  hnlf-throttled,  nnd  \rritliing  with  pain,  made  a  movement 
M  if  lio  wunUl  liavo  used  tlie  knit'e  in  a  iiiiicli  lu88  innocent  manner  tbaa 
whittling,  but  tiio  (juick,  stein  eye  of  his  ninatcr,  dotectcd  tlie  involuntary 
act,  and  his  bund,  Nuddtnly  reliuquiubing  its  iiold  of  the  collar,  grasped  the 
wri^t  of  tiio  soldier  with  »uch  a  vice-like  pressure,  that  the  Hugera  immedi- 
ately opened,  and  the  knilo  fell  upon  the  liearth.  •; 

The  violence  of  lii»  own  act,  brought  Mr.  Uey  wood  at  once  to  a  sense  of 
the  undue  severity  he  bad  exorcised  towards  bis  servant,  aud  he  immediately 
said,  taking  Ida  hand : 

''Ephraiin  Giles,  forgive  me,  but  it  was  not  intended.  Yet,  1  know  not 
bow  it  is,  the  few  words  you  spoke  just  now  made  me  anxious  to  know 
what  you  meant,  and  1  could  not  repress  my  impatience  to  bear  your 
explanation." 

Tbe  soldier  had  never  before  remarked  so  much  dignity  of  manner  about 
bik  Boss,  aji  he  termed  Mr.  Hey  wood,  and  this  fact,  added  to  the  recollection 
of  tbe  severe  handling  he  had  Just  met  with,  caused  him  to  be  a  little  more 
respectful  in  bid  address. 

"  Well,  I  reckon,"  be  said,  picking  up  bis  knife,  and  rccnming  his  whittliog^ 
but  in  a  less  absorbed  manner,  ^'  I  meant  no  harm,  but  merely  that  Loup 
GarOu  can  noae  an  Injin  better  than  ere  a  one  of  us." 

'^  Nose  an  Indian  better  than  any  one  of  us  t  Well,  perhaps  he  can — be 
sees  them  every  day,  but  what  has  that  to  do  with  bis  whining  and  growling 
just  now  ?" 

'*  Well,  ril  tell  you.  Boss,  what  I  mean,  more  plain-like.  You  know  that 
patch  of  Wood  borderin*  on  the  prairie,  where  you  set  me  to  out,  t'other 
day  ?» 

'♦I  do.    Wbatof  that?"     ;  ,...:.  ;,  ;,.,  ,  i   \ 

"  Well,  then,  this  mornin'  I  wad  onttin'  down  as  big  an  oak  as  ever  grew 
in  Michigan,  when,  as  it  went  tbundei-in'  through  tbe  branches,  with  noiae 
enough  to  scare  every  buffiilo  within  a  day's  bunt,  up  started,  not  twenty 
yards  from  it's  tip,  ten  or  a  dozen  or  so  of  Injins,  all  gruntin'  like  pigs,  and 
looking  as  fierce  as  so  many  red  devils.  They  didn't  look  quite  pleasant,  I 
oalcilabe." 

*4ndoed,"  remarked  Mr.  Hey  wood,  musingly;  "  a  party  of  Pottowattamies 
I  presume,  from  tbe  Fort.  We  all  know  there  is  a  large  encampment  of 
them  in  tbe  neighborhood,  but  tbey  are  our  friends." 

"  May-be  so,"  continued  Ephraim  Giles,  "  but  these  varmint  didn't  look 
over  friendly,  and  then  I  guess  the  Pottowattamies  don't  dress  in  war  paint, 
'«ept  when  they  dauce  for  liquor." 

"  And  are  you  quite  sure  tbe^e  Indians  were  in  their  war  paint?"  asked 
bis  master,  with  an  ill-concealed  look  of  anxiety.  •  ■. 

"  No  mistake  abotit  it,"  replied  Giles,  still  whittling,  "  and  I  could  almost 
swear,  short  as  the  squint  was  I  got  of  'em,  that  they  were  part  of  thoa* 
who  fought  us  on  the  Wabash,  two  years  i^." 

"How  so,  den,  you  are  here,  Gile.  If  dey  wicked  Injin,  bow  you  kMp 
joTtr  ftinny  little  cap,  an'  your  scAlp  under  de  cap?"  '       •'  i.nuH   i'. 


:l'*i 


TBt    FALL    or    cniCAGO. 


(n 


y 


nts  qQost!on  was  asked  by  the  Canadian,  who  bad  hitherto,  while  puffing 
his  pipe,  listened  indifferontl}'  to  tlio  conversation,  but  whose  attention  bad 
now  b'^coiiie  arrested,  from  the  moment  that  his  fellow-laborer  had  spoken 
of  the  savages,  so  strangely  disturbed  by  him. 

"  Well,  I  don't  exactly  know  about  thot,  myself,"  returned  the  soldier, 
slightly  raising  his  cap  and  scratching  his  crown,  as  if  in  recollection  of  some 
narrowly  escaped  danger.  '*  I  reckon,  tho',  when  I  see  them  slope  up  like  a 
covey  of  red-legged  pattridges,  my  heart  was  In  my  mouth,  for  I  looked  for 
Dothin'  else  but  that  same  operation :  but  I  wur  Just  as  well  pleased,  when, 
after  talkln'  their  gibberish,  and  makin'  all  sorts  of  signs  among  thomselveii, 
they  made  tracks  towards  the  open  prairie." 

"  And  why  did  you  not  name  this,  the  Instant  yon  got  home }"  somewhat 
sternly  questioned  Mr.  Hey  wood. 

"  Where's  th«  use  of  spilih'  a  good  dinner  ?"  returned  the  soldier.  "  It 
was  all  smokin'  hot  when  I  came  in  from  choppin',  and  I  thought  it  best  for 
every  man  to  tuck  it  In  before  I  said  a  word  about  it.  Besides,  I  reckon  I 
don't  know  as  they  meant  any  harm,  seein*  as  how  they  never  oarriisd  ofr 
my  top-knot ;— only  it  was  a  little  queer  they  were  hid  in  that  way  In  tbb 
woods,  and  looked  so  fierce  when  they  fir^t  Jumped  up  in  their  nasty  paint.' 

"  Who  knows,"  remarked  Mr.  Hey  wood,  taking  down  his  rifle  ftom  the 
side  of  the  hut  opposite  to  the  chimney,  and  examining  the  priming,  "  but 
iliese  fellows  may  have  tracked  you  back,  and  are  even  now,  lurking  near 
as.    Ephraim  Giles,  you  should  have  told  me  of  this  before." 

"And  so,"  replied  the  soldier,  "I  was  goln'  to,  when  Lbnp  Garou  began 
With  his  capers.  Then  it  was  I  gave  a  pairable  like,  about  his  scentlu'  the 
varmint  better  nor  we  human  critters  could."  .    , 

'^  £phraim  Giles,"  said  Mr.  Hey  wood,  sharply,  while  he  fixeid  his  dark  eye 
upon  him,  as  if  he  would  have  read  his  inmost  soul,  "you  say  that  you  have 
been  a  soldier,  and  fought  with  our  army  on  the  Wabash.  Why  did  yon 
Iteve  the  service t"  .     '.  -  V     ''"". 

"  Because,"  drawled  the  ez-mllitaire,  with  a  leering  expression  of  his  e^e, 
"  my  captin  was  a  bad  judge  of  good  men  when  he  had  'em,  and  reckoned 
I  was  shammin'  when  I  fell  down  rale  sick,  and  was  left  behind  in  a  charge 
made  on  the  Injins  at  Tippecanoe.  I  couldn't  stand  the  abuse  he  gave  nie 
for  this,  and  so  I  left  him."  , 

"  Cool,  indeed,"  sneered  Mr.  Hey  wood ;  "  non  then,  Spnraini  (S^lleB,  tiW 
my  opinion.  Your  captain  thought  you  were  a  coward,  for  he  judged  yon 
irom  your  conduct.  I,  too,  judge  you  from  your  conduct,  and  have  no 
hesitation  in  pronouncing  you  to  be  a  rogue  or  a  fool."       '  '      "   'V' 

"  Well,  I  want  to  know !"  was  the  only  rejoinder  of  the  man,  as  he  indent 
on  unconcernedly  with  his  whittling. 

"  Le  Noir,"  said  his  master  to  the  Canadian,  who,  imitating  his  eiatnple^ 
had  taken  down  a  long  duck  gun  from  the  same  side  of  the  hut,  "  tako  your 
dog  with  3  ou.  and  reconnoitre  in  the  neighborhood.  You  speak  Indian,  and 
if  ilny  of  these  people  are  to  be  seen,  ascertain  who  they  are  and  why ' 

Here  he  was  interrupted  by  the  gradually  approaching  sounds  of  rattling 
deer  hoofs,  so  well  known  as  composing  one  of  the  lower  orhanients  of  the 
Indian  war-dress,  wliile,  at  tlie  same  moment,  the  wild  moaning  of  Lotip 


It 


HARDaClUBBLB  ;    01, 


OaroOf  then  atandlog  at  the  front  door- way,  was  renewed  eren  more  plab- 
tirely  than  before. 

lir.  Iloywood's  olieck  blanched.  It  was  not  with  fear,  for  lie  was  a  man 
inoapablo  of  fear  in  tlie  cutnnion  acceptation  of  the  word,  but  indepenilently 
of  certain  vagae  apprcliensions  for  otlieia,  Iiis  mind  had  been  in  a  great 
degree  nnhingcd  by  un  unacouuii table  prcsentltiioDt  of  evil,  which  inHtiuct* 
Ively  had  cotuo  over  it  that  day.  It  was  this,  that,  inducitig  a  certain 
irresoluteucss  of  thouglit  and  action,  iiad  led  him  into  a  inanirustulion  of 
peevish  contradiction  in  liis  address  to  Ephraim  Giles.  There  arc  moments, 
when,  without  knowing  why,  the  nerves  of  the  strongest — iho  purposes  of 
the  wisest,  are  unstrung — uud  when  it  requires  all  our  tact  and  self-poBses&iou 
to  conceal  from  otiiers,  the  momentary  weakness  we  ahnost  blush  to  admit  to 
ourselves. 

But  there  was  no  time  for  reflection.  The  approach  to  the  door  was 
suddenly  shaded,  and  in  the  next  instant  the  dark  forms  of  three  or  four 
savages,  speedily  followed  by  others,  amounting  in  all  to  twelve,  besides  their 
chief,  who  was  in  the  advance,  crossed  the  threshold,  and,  without  uttering 
ft  word,  either  of  anger  or  salutation,  squatted  themselves  upon  the  floor. 
They  were  stout,  athletic  warriors,  the  perfect  symmetry  of  whose  persons 
could  not  be  concealed  even  by  the  hideous  war-paint  with  which  they  were 
thickly  streaked — inspiring  anything  but  confidence  in  the  honesty  or  friend- 
liness of  their  intentions.  The  head  of  each  was  shaved  and  painted  as  well 
as  his  person,  and  only  on  the  extreme  crown  had  been  left  a  tuft  of  hair,  to 
which  were  attached  feathers,  and  small  bones,  and  other  fantastic  ornaments 
peculiar  to  their  race — a  few  of  them  carried  American  rifles— the  majority, 
the  common  gun  periodically  dealt  out  to  the  several  tribes,  as  presents  from 
the  British  Government,  while  all  had  in  addition  to  their  pipe-tomohawkst 
the  formidable  and  polished  war-dub. 

Such  visitors,  and  so  armed,  were  not  of  a  description  to  remove  the 
apprehensions  of  the  little  party  in  the  farm-house.  Theiir  very  silenoei 
added  to  their  dark  and  threatening  looks,  created  more  than  mere  suspi- 
cion— a  certainty  of  evil  design — and  deeply  did  Mr.  Hoy  wood  deplore 
the  folly  of  Ephraim  Giles  in  failing  to  apprise  him  of  his  meeting  with 
these  people,  at  the  earliest  moment  after  his  return.  Had  he  done  so,  there 
might  ^ave  been  a  chance,  nay,  every  assurance  of  relief,  for  he  knew  that 
a  party  from  the  fort,  consisting  of  a  non-commissioned  offloer  and  six  men, 
were  even  now  fishing  not  more  than  two  miles  higher  up  the  river.  He 
was  aware  that  the  boy,  Wilton,  was  an  excellent  runner,  and  that  within 
an  hour,  at  least,  lie  could  have  reached  and  brought  down  that  party,  who, 
as  was  their  wont,  when  absenting  themselves  on  these  fishing  excursions, 
were  provided  with  tlieir  arms.  However,  it  might  not  yet  be  too  late,  and 
he  determined  to  make  the  attempt.  To  call  and  speak  to  the  boy  aside, 
would,  he  was  well  aware,  excite  tlie  suspicions  of  his  unwelcome  gaests, 
while  it  was  possible  that,  as  they  did  not  understand  English,  (so  at  least 
he  took  it  for  granted)  a  communication  made  to  him  boldly  in  their  pre- 
sence, would  be  construed  into  some  domestic  order. 

"  "Wilton,"  he  said  calmly  to  the  boy,  who  stood  near  the  doorway  vTith 
alarm  visibly  depicted  on  his  countenance,  and  looking  as  if  he  wonll 


\ 


THE    TAii,   or   OniOAOO. 


IS 


man 

Dtljr 
rcAt 
uct- 
tala 
of 

Qt8, 

of 
iou 
tto 


Mgerly  Bofze  a  favorablo  opportunity  of  monpo,  '^  mako  all  iiasto  tA  th«  fish- 
ing party,  and  toll  Oorpural  Nixon  who  coimiiandH  ir,  to  lose  no  time  in  pull- 
ing down  tlie  stream.  You  will  come  back  with  tliom.  Quick,  logo  not  ft 
moment." 

Delighted  nt  the  order,  the  boy  made  no  answer,  l>nt  hatlo«s — sliooless  aa 
he  was,  dis.'ippcare.d  round  tlio  corner  of  the  houno.  Strungo  to  HHy,  the 
ludiunn,  altlioiigh  thuy  liad  Hcoiuingly  listened  with  atteniion  to  Mr,  Hey- 
wood  wliilti  iasuiii)^  thewo  diroolionH,  did  not  make  the  »liglitotit  muvemoiit  to 
arrest  the  depurturo  of  the  boy,  or  even  to  remark  upon  it — merely  turning  to 
their  chief,  who  uttered  a  Hlwirp  and  satisfied  "  ugh." 

During  all  this  time,  Mr.  Ileywood  and  Lo  Noir  stood  at  soma  littld 
distance  from  tiie  Indians,  iind  nearly  on  tlie  spot  they  had  occupied  at  titeir 
entrance,  the  onu  holding  his  rifio,  the  other  his  duok'gun,  the  butts  of  both 
resting  on  the  floor.  Ai  each  moment  their  anxiety  increased,  and  it  seemed 
an  Age  before  the  succor  they  had  sent  for  could  arrive.  How  long,  more- 
over, would  these  taciturn'  and  forbidding-mannered  savages  wait  befoF« 
they  gave  some  indication  of  overt  ho!>tility,  and  even  if  nothing  were  done 
prior  to  the  urriviil  of  the  tlshing  party,  would  these  latter  bo  in  sufficient 
force  to  awe  tliein  into  a  pacific  depiirtuie ?  The  Indians  were  twelve  in 
nnmber,  exclusive  of  their  chief,  all  tierce  and  determined.  They,  with  th« 
soldiers,  nine ;  f(jr  neither  Mr.  Hey  wood  nor  Lo  Noir  seemed  disposed  to 
connt  upon  any  efficient  aid  from  Ephraim  Giles,  who,  during  this  dumb 
scene,  continued  whittling  before  the  Indians,  apparently  as  cool  and  indiffer- 
ent to  their  presence,  as  if  he  had  conceived  tiiem  to  bo  the  most  peaceably 
disposed  persons  in  the  worlcf.  He  had,  however,  hstened  attentively  to  the 
order  given  to  Wilton  by  his  master,  and  had  not  failed  to  remark  that  the 
Indians  had  not,  in  any  way,  attempted  to  impede  his  departure. 

"  What  do  yon  think  of  these  people,  Le  Noir,"  at  length  asked  Mr.  Hey- 
wood,  withoiit,  however  removing  Ids  gaze  from  his  visitors.  '^  Can  they  be 
friendly  Pottawattamies?" 

"Friendly  Pottawattamies!  no,  sare,"  returned  the  Canadian  seriously, 
and  shrngging  up  his  shoulders.  '*  Dey  no  dress,  no  paint  like  de  Pottawat- 
tamie, and  I  not  like  der  black  look — no,  sare,  dey  Winnebago." 

He  laid  a  strong  emphasis  on  the  last  word,  and  as  he  expected,  a  general 
"agh"  among  the  party  attested  that  he  had  correctly  named  their 
tribe. 

While  they  were  thus  expressing  their  conjectures  in  regard  to  the  char- 
acter and  intentious  of  their  guests,  and  inwardly  determiuing  to  sell  their 
lives  as  dearly  as  possible  if  attacked.  Ephraim  Giles  had  risen  from  his 
seat  in  the  corner  of  the  chimney,  and  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  stick  he 
was  whittling,  walked  coolly  out  of  the  door,  and  sauntered  down  the  path- 
way leading  to  the  river.  But  if  he  had  calcidiited  on  the  same  indifference 
to  his  actions  that  the  Indians  had  manifested  towards  the  boy,  he  was  mis- 
taken. They  all  watclied  hira  keenly  as  he  slowly  sauntered  towards  the 
water,  and  then,  wlien  he  had  got  about  half  way,  the  cliief  suddenly  spring- 
ing to  his  feet,  and  braudishing  his  tomahawk  demanded  in  broken,  but  per- 
fectly intelligible  English,  where  he  was  going. 

"  Well,  I  want  to  know,"  exclaimed  the  soldier^  turning  round,  and  in  a 


Si 


'H 


'''''i 


rm 


■-'Ufl 


•'.'iKi 


14 


HAKDSCRABBLE  ;     OB, 


if 


tone  indicating  surprise  that  he  had  thus  been  qaestioned — ''  only  goin  over 
thar,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  the  haystacks  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  around  whicli  stood  many  cattle,"  goin  I  guess  to  give  out  some  grub 
to  the  beasts,  and  I'll  be  back  in  no  time,  to  give  you  out  some  whisky ," 
Then,  resuming  his  course,  he  went  on  whittling  as  unconcernedly  as 
before. 

The  chief  turned  to  his  followers,  and  alow,  yet  eager  conversation  ensued. 
Whether  it  was  that  the  seeming  indifference  of  the  man,  or  his  promise  of 
the  whisky  on  his  return,  or  that  some  other  motive  influenced  them,  they 
contented  themselves  with  keeping  a  vigilant  watch  upon  his  movements. 

Mr.  Hey  wood  and  the  Frenchman  exchanged  looks  of  surprise ;  tljey  could 
not  account  for  the  action  of  Ephraim  Giles,  for  although  it  was  his  oflSce 
to  cross  the  river  daily  for  the  purpose  he  had  named,  it  had  never  been  at 
that  period  of  the  day.  How  the  Indians  could  suffer  his  departure,  if  their 
intentions  were  really  hostile,  it  was  moreover  impossible  for  them  to  com- 
prehend ;  and  in  proportion  as  the  hopes  of  the  one  were  raised  by  this 
circumstance,  so  were  those  of  the  other  depressed. 

Mr.  Hevwood  began  to  think  that  the  suspicions  of  the  Canadian  were 
unfounded,  and  that  their  guests  were,  after  all,  but  a  party  of  warriors  on 
their  way  to  the  Fort,  either  for  purposes  of  traffic  with  the  only  merchant 
r^iBiding  in  its  vicinity,  or  of  bubiuess  with  the  ofiBcer  commanding.  It  was 
not  likely,  he  reasoned,  that  men  coming  with  hostile  designs,  would  have 
sufiered  first  the  boy  to  be  despatched  on  a  mission  which,  obscurely  as  he 
had  worded  his  directions,  must  in  some  measure  have  been  understood  by  the 
chief;  and,  secondly,  permitted  Ephraim  Giles  to  leave  tlie  house  in  tbe 
manner  just  seen — particularly  when  the  suspicion  entertained  by  him  as 
well  as  by  Le  Noir  and  himself,  must  have  been  apparent. 

But  the  Canadian  drew  no  such  inference  from  these  facts.  Although  he 
could  not  speak  the  Winnebago  language,  he  was  too  conversant  with  the 
customs  of  the  Indians,  to  perceive,  in  what  they  permitted  in  this  seeming 
confidence,  anything  but  guile.  He  felt  assured  they  had  allowed  the  boy 
to  depart  on  his  errand  solely  that  they  might  have  a  greater  number  of  vic- 
tims in  their  power.  Nothing  was  more  easy,  numerous  as  they  were,  than 
to  despatch  them,  and  then,  lying  in  ambush  among  the  trees  that  skirted 
the  banks,  to  shoot  down  every  one  in  the  fishing  boat  before  a  landing  could 
be  efifected,  and  preparatitms  made  for  defence;  while,  in  the  indifference  of 
their  conduct  in  regard  to  the  departure  of  Ephraim  Giles,  he  saw  but  a 
design  to  disarm  suspicion,  and  thus  induce  them  to  lay  by  their  arms,  the 
reports  of  which  wonld  necessarily  alarm  the  party  expected,  and  so  far  put 
them  on  their  guard  as  to  defeat  their  plans.  The  very  appearance  of  Giles, 
moreover,  crossing  the  water,  if  seen  by  the  descending  boat  would,  he 
thought  they  imagined,  be  a  means  of  lulling  the  parly  into  security,  and 
thus  rendering  them  a  more  easy  prey. 

While  tlie  master  and  the  servant  were  thus  indulging  their  opposite 
reflections,  without,  however,  making  any  intercommunication  of  them, 
Ephraim  Giles,  who  had  now  thrust  his  knife  and  stick  into  the  pocket  of 
his  short  skirt,  shoved  off  the  only  canoe  that  was  to  be  seen,  and  stepping 
into  it,  and  seizing  the  paddle,  urged  it  slowly,  and  without  the  slightest 


1 


THR     FALL     OK     CHICAGO. 


16 


appftarance  of  hurry,  to  tlie  opposite  bank,  where,  within  less  than  ten 
minutes,  he  had  npain  hauled  it  up.  Then,  as  cooly  ascending  the  hank,  he 
approached  one  of  the  haystacks,  and  drew  from  it  a  few  haudfuls  of  fodder 
which  he  s[>read  upon  the  ground,  continuing  to  do  j-o,  as  tlie  cattle  assembled 
around,  until  he  had  gained  the  outermost  haystnck  hordering  immediately 
upon  the  wood.  This  reached,  he  gave  a  loud  yell,  which  was  promptly 
answered  by  tlie  Indians,  who  had  continued  to  watch  his  movements  up  to 
the  very  moment  of  his  disappearance ;  and  darting  along  a  narrow  path 
which  skirted  the  wood,  ran  with  all  his  speed  towards  the  Fort.  His  flight 
hadiDot  lasted  five  minutes,  when  the  reports  of  several  guns,  fired  from  the 
direction  he  had  just  quitted,  met  his  ear,  and  urged  him  to  even  greater 
exertion,  until  at  length,  haggard  and  breathless,  he  gained  his  destination, 
and  made  his  way  to  the  commanding  officer,  to  whom  he  briefly  iletailed 
the  startling  occurrences  he  had  witnessed. 


CHAPTER   II, 


\ 


The  Fort  of  Chicago,  at  that  period,  stood  upon  a  portion  of  the  same 
ground  occupied  by  its  successor,  and  was',  in  fact,  a  very  epitome  of  a 
fortress.  On  the  western  side,  two  block-houses  constituted  its  chief  defence, 
while  on  the.  north,  a  subterranean  passage  led  from  the  parade-ground  to 
the  river,  near  the  banks  of  which  it  had  been  erected.  The  uses  of  thit 
sally  port  were  two-fold — firstly,  to  aflTord  the  garrison  a  supply  of  water  in 
the  event  of  a  siege — secondly,  to  facilitate  escape,  if  necessary.  The 
country  around,  now  the  seat  of  fruitfnlness  and  industry,  was  at  that  time  a 
wilderness,  tenanted  only  by  the  savage,  and  by  the  few  daring  and  adven> 
turous  whites  who  had  devoted  their  livet^  to  purposes  of  traffic,  yet  whose 
numbers  \Vas  so  small  as  to  induce  them,  with  a  view  to  their  safety,  to 
establish  themselves  as  near  the  Fort  as  possible.  Koads^  there  were  none, 
and  the  half  formed  trail  of  the  Indian  furnished  the  only  means  of  comma-' 
nication  between  this  distant  port,  and  the  less  thinly-settled  portions  of 
Michigan.  Nor  were  these  journeys  of  frequent  occurrence,  but  performed 
at  long  intervals,  by  the  enterprising  and  the  robust  men — who  feared  not 
to  encounter  privations  and  hardships — encamping  at  uigla  in  the  woudi!^ 
or  finding  a  less  desirable  repose  in  the  squalid  wigwam  of  the  uncertain 
Indian. 

The  mouth  of  the  Chicago  River  was  then  nearly  half  a  mile  more  to  the 
southward  than  it  is  now.  At  a  short  distance  from  the  lake,  which  givee 
itji  name  to  the  territ^ory,  it  soon  branched  off  abruptly  to  the  north,  and 
then  again,  taking  another  turn,  pursued  its  original  westernly  course,  and, 
passing  near  the  Fort,  gave  to  the  latter  the  appearance  of  a  slightly  elevated 
peninsula,  separated  only  from  the  water  by  a  gentle  declivity  of  no  great 
extent.  On  the  same  side  of  the  river  was  the  Government  Agency  House, 
and  at  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  that,  a  spot  generally  used  as  a  place 
ef  encampment  by  the  friendly  Indian»>-at  that  moment  occupied  by  a 
numerous  band  of  Pottatvattamies.    Immediately  opposite  to  the  Fort,  stood 


16! 


HASDSCRABBLE  :     OR, 


the  residence  and  trading  establishment  of  Mr.  Macicenzie — a  gentleman  who 
had  long  mixed  with  the  Indians — iiad  much  influence  with,  and  was  highly 
regarded  by  them ;  and,  close  to  his  abode,  lived  with  his  family,  consisting 
of  hia  wife  and  her  sister,  French  Canadians  like  himself,  Ouilmette,  one  of 
the  most  attached  of  his  people,  and  enjoying  almost  equal  popularity  with 
the  red  men.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  beyond  Ouilmettes,  and  immedi> 
ately  opposite  l^o  the  Pottawattamie  encampment,  from  which  it  was  divided 
only  by  the  river,  was  another  small  but  neat  dwelling.  This  belonged  to 
Mr.  Heywood,  and  was  then  inliabited  by  his  wife  and  daughter,  whom  he 
would  not  permit  to  reside  at  the  farm,  as  well  on  account  of  its  rudeness 
of  accommodation,  as  of  the  dread  of  exposing  them,  in  that  remote  situation, 
to  the  very  danger  which  we  have  seen  he  had  himself  so  recently  encoun- 
tered. 

Such  was  the  civilian  population  of  that  sparsely  inhabited  country  in 
1812.    Let  us  now  see  the  strength  of  its  garrison. 

For  the  defence  of  so  distant  an  outpo.>4t,  almost  cut  off,  as  we  have 
already  shown,  from  communication  with  the  more  inhabited  portions  of  the 
States,  the  American  governntent  had  not  thought  it  requisite  to  provide 
more  than  a  single  company  of  soldiers,  a  force  utterly  inadequate  to  oon< 
tend  in  a  case  of  emergency,  with  the  hordes  of  savages  that  could  be  col> 
leoted  around  them  within  a  few  hours,  and  uieeJcs  before  any  efficient  sac- 
eor  could  be  obtained.  This  error,  grave  at  any  time,  in  those  who  sought 
to  extend  the  influence  of.  their  name  and  arms  throughout  that  fertile 
region  which  has  now,  within  little  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century, 
become  the  very  head  of  American  commerce  and  navigation,  was  especially 
so  at  this  particular  epoch,  when  the  Indian  spirit,  stirred  to  action  by  the 
great  chief  who  had  so  recently  measured  his  strength  with  hia  hated  ene- 
mies at  Tippecanoe,  was  likely  to  be  aroused  on  all  occasions  where  facility 
of  cbnqaest  seemed  to  present  itself.  And,  yet,  that  government  well  knew 
that  there  were,  even  at  that  moment,  difficulties  existing  between  them- 
selves and  Great  Britain  of  a  character  to  lead  to  an  interruption  of  the 
friendly  interconrse  that  had  hitherto  snbsisted  between  the  two  countries, 
and  which,  if  suffered  to  ripen  into  hostilities,  would  necessarily,  associate 
many  of  the  Indian  tribes  with  the  forces  of  England,  drawing  down  certain 
destruction  on  those  remoter  posts,  whose  chief  reliance  on  immunity  from 
danger,  lay,  in  a  great  degree,  in  the  array  of  strength  they  could  oppose  to 
their  subtle  and  calculating  enemy. 

This  company,  consisting,  of  seventy-five  men — many  of  them  married 
and  with  families — was  under  the  command  of  an  officer  whose  conduct 
throughout  the  eventful  and  trying  scenes  about  to  be  recorded,  has  often 
been  the  subject  of  much  censure — ^with  what  justice  our  readers  must 
determine. 

Oaptain  Headley  was  one  of  those  officers  who,  without  having  acquired 
no  greater  rank  at  the  age  of  forty  than  he  now  possessed,  had  served  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States  fVom  his  boyhood,  and  was,  in  all  the  minutia)  of 
the  service  ,  a  strict  disciplinarian.  He  had,  moreover,  acquired  habits  of 
deference  to  authority,  which  caused  him,  on  all  necessary  occasions,  to 
regulate  his  oondaot  by  the  orders  of  his  superiors,  and  so  strongly  was  th!^ 


THE    FALL    Or    OHIOAOO. 


IT 


engrafted  on  bis  natare,  that  while  he  posseMed  mind  and  energy  Baffioient 
to  plan  the  most  feasible  measures  himself,  his  dread  of  that  responsibility 
which  oircumstanoes  had  now  forced  npon  him,  induced  the  ntmoat  disindi* 
nation  to  depart  from  the  letter  of  an  instraotion  once  received,  and  nnr«> 
Toked. 

These,  however,  wore  pnrely  faults  of  his  military  education.  To  a  com* 
manding  person  and  dignified  manners,  Captain  Headley  nnited  a  mind 
highly  cultivated,  and  fe^ings  aad  sentiments  which  could  not  fail  to  secure 
the  respect  even  of  those  who  were  most  ready  to  condemn  that  caution 
and  prudence  of  character  which  so  eminently  distinguished  his  career  as  a 
snbordinate  soldier.  It  was  well  known  and  conceded  that,  if  he  erred, 
the  error  grew  not  so  much  out  of  his  own  want  of  judgment,  but  was 
rather  the  fruit  of  the  too  great  deference  to  authority  which  led  him, 
implicitly,  to  adopt  the  judgment  of  others.  In  the  private  relations  of 
life,  he  was  deservedly  esteemed,  excelling  in  all  those  higher  accomplish- 
ments  that  enmre  favor  with  society,  and  seldom  fail  to  win  for  their  pos- 
sessor  the  approbation  of  women.  Such,  indeed,  had  been  his  snocess  in  this 
particular  application  of  the  gifts  with  which  nature  had  endowed  him,  that 
he  had,  for  some  years,  been  the  possessor  of  the  affections  and  the  hand  of 
one  of  the  noblest  of  her  sex,  whom,  however,  we  shall  take  a  later  oppor- 
tunity of  introducing  to  the  reader. 

'- !  The  next  officer  in  rank  was  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  married  also,  and  about 
ten  years  the  junior  of  Headley.  From  causes,  which  will  be  explained  in 
the  course  of  our  narrative,  the  subaltern  did  not  incline  to  place  that  con- 
fidence in  the  measures  and  judgment  of  his  captain,  which,  it  has  been 
shown,  the  latter  almost  invariably  accorded  to  his  superiors,  and  henoe 
arose  feelings,  that,  without  absolutely  alienating  them — for,  in  their  rela- 
tive military  positions  this  could  never  be^-rendered  their  intercourse  daily 
more  and  more  formal,  until,  in  the  end,  a  sentiment  almost  of  enmity  pre- 
vailed.  In  a  remote  garrison  like  this  such  an  evil  was  the  more  to  be 
regretted,  even  while  there  was  the  greater  probability,  from  absence  of 
serious  occupation,  of  its  occurrence.  ' 

The  junior  subaltern  was  Ensign  Bonayno,  a  high-spirited  young  Souther- 
ner, who  had  now  been  three  years  at  the  post,  and  within  that  period,  had, 
by  his  frank  demeanor,  and  handsome  person,  won  the  regard  of  all — mili> 
tary  and  civil — there  and  in  the  neighborhood.  Enterprising,  ardent, 
fearless,  and  chivalrous,  this  young  man  had  passed  the  first  year  of  what.he, 
then,  considered  little  short  of  banishment,  in  a  restless  desire  for  adventure; 
but  at  the  end  of  that  period,  came  a  marked  change  over  him,  and  the 
spirit  that  liad  panred  exclusively  for  action,  now  bent  before  a  gentler  and 
a  holier  influence.  i  i^ 

Last  of  the  officers  of  this  little  fort,  was  the  surgeon.  Doctor  Von  Vot- 
tenberg,  who  as  his  name  would  imply,  was  a  descendant  from  one  of  the 
earlier  Dutcl  settlers  in  the  colonies.  There  was  nothing  remarkable  about 
this  gentleman.  He  was  short,  stout,  rather  of  a  bilious  temperament— 
clever  in  his  profession,  and  much  addicted  to  compounding  whisky  punch, 
which  he  not  only  brewed,  but  drank  most  satisfactorily.  What  other  attrib- 
utes and  accomplishments  he  possessed,  tlie  incidents  herein  related  most 
develops.  ''  "«--^i  •♦'■   •"  '''  '  ■  '  -'  ."     ■     • 


■  »■»■ 


m 


m 


18 


UA&OSOBABBLS  ;    0I^ 


■•1 


It  has  been  daid  ttiat,  oq  its  Western  side,  the  Furt  was  protected  by  two 
blook-hoQses,  while  on  the  northern  a  sally  port  communicated  with  the 
lower.  On  each  side  of  the  sally  port  were  two  Bniall  stortii>,  reserved  for 
the  ammunition  and  arras,  and  for  the  provisions  and  spare  clothing  of  th^ 
garrison.  "On  the  north  and  soutli  faces,  rose  a  series  of  small  low  wooden 
baildings,  appropriated  to  the  officers,  uud  oapable  of  containing  ihrioe  the 
uqmber  now  ocoapyiug  them.  The  southern  face,  or  that  which  looks  to- 
wards the  locale  of  the  scene  described  in  our  la^^f^hapter,  was  now  the  r^pl- 
deaoe  of  the  oomraauding  officer,  and  of  his  stenior  subordinate,  who,  wllth 
tik'^ir  families  and  doine^tios,  tenanted  tiie  whole  of  that  range  of  buildingiii, 
Itrijth  the  exception  qf  oqe  large  rpum  in  (he  centre,  generally  used  a#  a  h<t  1 
of  coan(iil  with  the  Incliaai».  lu  the  other  range,  precisely  eiiuiiar  in  of^' 
StrQctiqn,  were  quartered  Ensign  Bonayno  and  the  surgeon  Von  Vcttenbevg, 
who  eaob,  however  occupied  but  one  apartment.  The  central  and  Idrgest 
■Mrvibg  as  their  mess-room.  The  other  half  of  the  building  was  vacant,  or 
•rAt^ei'  had  been  so,  nntil  the  doctor  obtained  the  permission  of  the  commaqd- 
iing  officer  to  use  it  as  a  tempfA-ary  surgery — the  hospital  being  a  djstuMtt 
Odi^p9  between  the  two  blook-MiV^s.  These  latter,  Qapacious  for  tibe  siao 
Otf  th<$  fort,  accommodated  the  tkon-commifsioned  officers  and  meu-rri^  oow- 
pfuiy  being  divided  as  equally  as  pos^ble  between  the  two. 

Without  the  whole  of  these  buildings  stood  a  strong  stockade,  about  twelve 
feet  htgh,  loop-holed  for  musquetry,  with  a  baation  at  each  angle,  facing  the 
foqrpripoipal  points  of  the  compass,  on  each  of  which  was  placed  a  small  guo, 
that  the  men  had  been  trained  to  work.  The  entranoe  to  the  fort  wa»  from 
the  wttst ward V  and  in  the  dii^eotion  of  the  agenoy  house,  which  two  of  thl9A» 
bastions  immediately  flanked^  !    ' 

The  guard  consisted  of  a  non-oommissioued  officer  and  nine  ttien— thno^ 
SflQtries  being  furnished  for  the  necessary  duties — one  for  the  stores  already 
described — another  for  the  commanding  officer's  quarters — the  mess-iroom  and 
the  surgery,  and  the  third  for  the  southern  bastion,  upon  which  floated  the 
glorious  stars  and  stripes  of  the  Union.  A  fourth  sentry  at  the  gate  had  been 
dispensed  with,  in  consequence  of  the  proximity  to  it  of  the  guard-house. 
This  was  a  small  building  immediately  in  front  of  the  hospital,  which,  with 
the  gate,  came  particularly  under  the  surveillance  of  the  non-commissioned 
officer  of  the  guard.  <•  ■>! 

With  the  character  tor  strict  attention  to  discipline,  which  has  been 
ascribed  to  Captain  Headley,  it  will  be  easily  understood  that  every  man  on 
duty  was  expected  to  be  as  correct  in  the  execution  of  its  details,  as  thoogh 
he  had  been  at  the  Head  Quarttrs  of  his  regiment,  or  at  the  Seat  of 
Government  itself.  The  utmost  regard  to  dress,  and  to  the  efficiency  of 
arms  was  moreover  enjoined,  and  ^o  far  did  their  commander  feel  indisposed 
to  trust  the  iuspection  of  them  to  the  non-oomini.-^sioned  officer  of  the  guard, 
that,  although  there  were  in  the  Fort,  but  tw«)  regimental  officers  besides 
himself,  he  hud,  from  the  moment  of  assuming  tlie  command,  required  thew 
alternately  to  perform  the  necessary  duties;  superintending,  the  relief  of 
guards,  and  parading  all  men  off  duty  and  out  of  hospital,  in  full  dress,  at 
least  once  in  the  twenty-four  hours. 

i^    At  the  outset,  this  had  been  a  source  of  much  discontent  with  the  meOf 
"ceiving  that,  in  that  remote  region,  the  rigor  of  the  service  raij 


v>-h 


J^ 


THB    FALL    Of    t;HlOAOO. 


.,i» 


ht  dispeused  with,  almost  openly  expressed  their  desire  tltat  there  might  be 
sent  to  command  tlieni,  some  officer  less  severe  in  his  exactions.  This  had 
been  reported  to  Qaptain  Headley  by  his  senior  subaltern,  from  whose  ipaaner, 
while  oommuuicating  the  infcrmation,  it  was  apparent  that  ho  did  not 
wholly  disapprove  of  a  remonstrance  against  measures  which  involved  the 
sacrifice  of  his  own  comfort.  His  superior  was  not  slow  to  remark  this,  he, 
howcTer,  quietly  observed  that  he  was  not,  at  his  years,  and  in  his  responai- 
ble  position,  to  bie  told  ihe  duty  required  to  be  performed  by  the  troops 
under  his  command  ;  and  that,  if  he  perceived  any  symptoms  of  insubordina- 
tion, he  would  take  the  proper  means  to  suppress  it.  The  lieutenant  made 
to  reply,  but  bit  his  lip,  and*  withdrew.  This  was  the  first  manifestation  of 
any  thing  approaching  to  disunion,'  between  these  two  officers. 

Lieutenant  Elmsley,  although  by  no  means  a  negligent  officer,  was  no 
disciplinarian.  He  could  not  but  look  upon  formal  guard  mountings  and 
^parades,  in  that  isolated  quarter,  as  unnecessary — serving  only  to  create 
dis^ntent  amongst  the  men,  and  to  induce  them — the  unmarried  e8pecia^y 
—to  desert,  whenever  an  opportunity  presented  itself;  while,  bringing  ilie 
subject  more  immediately  home  to  himself,  he  deemed  it  to  be  a  needlessly 
severe  tax  upon  the  only  two  subalterns  of  the  garrison.  This,  he  thongl^t 
might,  situated  as  they  were,  have  been  dispensed  with,  without  the  slightest 
inconvenience  to  th'e  service;  and  the  duty  left  to  the  superintendence  of 
tl)e  non-commissioned  part  of  the  force.  Hence  his  annoyance  with  his 
superior. 

But  Captain  Headley  was  of  a  ^different  opinion.  He  thought  that  the 
very  remoteness  of  his  post,  rendered  it  the  more  necessary  that  no  appear- 
ance of  carelessness  should  be  remarked  by  the  tribes  of  Indiana  who  were  in 
the  vicinity,  and  who,  however  amicable  their  relations  then  with  the  United 
States,  might  later,  from  caprice  or  events  yet  unforeseen,  take  advantage 
of  the  slightest  negligence,  to  attempt  the  destruction  of  all. 

Better,  he  thought,  that  they  who  received  the  pay  of  the  Government^ 
for  upholding  its  interests  and  dignity,  should  be  subject  to  a  frequent 
repprrence  of  duty — not  in  itself  particularly  irksome — than  that  an  impot'- 
tant  post — the  nucleus  of  the  future  prosperity  of  the  State— should  iJe 
perilled  by  the  absence  of  that  vigilance  which  ought  to  characterize  tlie 
soldier.  If  he  allowed  to  be  retrenched,  or  indeed  left  unemployed,  any  of 
that  military  exhibition,  which  tends  to  impress  upon  the  many  the  naOral 
superiority  of  the  few,  where,  he  argued,  .would  be  their  safety  in  the  hour 
of  need ;  and  if  those  duties  were  performed  in  a  slovenly  manner,  and 
without  due  regard  to  scenic  effect,  the  result  would  be  to  induce  the  wily 
savage  to  undervalue  that  superiority  which  discipline  chiefly  secured  to  the 
white  warrior.  Captain  Headley  was  discriminating  and  observant.  He 
had,  more  tlmn  once,  remarked  tiie  surprise  and  admiration  created  amon^ 
the  Indians  who  had  access  within  the  stockade,  at  the  promptness  and 
regularity  of  the  system  introduced  into  it,  and  this,  of  itself,  was  a  suffl- 
■^ient  motive  to  cause  him  to  persevere  in  the  course  his  judgment  liad  adopted. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the  moment  when  Ephraim  Gilea^ 
breathless  with  speed,  and  fancying  the  party  of  Winnebagoos  close  upon  hb 
heels,  made  his  entry  into  the  Fort.    The  news  he  brought  was  of  a  nature 


i 


i.v^,'. 


^fr 


'i 

tn 


.:it 


m 


•    f 


% 


HAROSORABBLB  ;    6b, 


to  assemble  the  officers,  as  well  as  many  of  the  men  and  women,  all  aiudoa* 
to  hear  the  details  of  an  occnrrence,  which  now,  for  the  first  time  since  their 
Arrival  at  the  Fort,  had  created  serioud  apprehension.  But  there  was  one 
of  the  party  who  manifested  more  than  ordinary  uneasiness.  His  impati- 
ence was  great,  and,  after  having  whispered  a  few  words  in  the  ear  of 
Captain  Headley,  and  received  an  affirmative  reply,  coupled  with  an  iqjnno- 
tion  of  caution,  he  left  the  building  in  haste,  and  proceeded  towards  the 
block-houses,  where,  selecting  half  a  dozen  men,  and  ordering  them  to  arm 
on  the  instant,  he  passed  with  them  through  the  gate — sprang  into  a  large 
scow  which  was  unchained  from  its  moorings,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and 
polled  in  the  direction  of  the  hous^e  already  said  to  have  been  occupied  by 
the  wife  and  daughter  of  Mr.  Hey  wood.  ,,  , 

Meanwhile,  Captain  Headley  closely  interrogated  the  fugitive  as  to  the 
namber  and  appearance  of  the  Indians  who  had  oreated  all  this  alarm,  their 
probable  object  in  visiting  the  farm  in  this  Hcemingly  hostile  manner,  and 
tl^e  number  of  shots  he  had  heard  fired.  To  all  these  questions  the  soldier^ 
■who  had  now,  in  some  degree,  recovered  from  his  panic,  replied  in  the  xuaui. 
(trawling  tone,  his  stick  and  knife,  which  had  been  drawn  forth  again  from 
Ids  pocket,  in  which  he. had  deposited  them  in  crossing  from  the  farm-hoose, 
affording  him  his  usual  amusement,  but  nothing,  of  course,  was  elipited 
beyond  what  has  already  been  related.  Whether  any  one  had  been  killed  in 
the  house,  or  the  guns  merely  discharged  to  frighten  the  fugitive,  or  that  the 
reports  had  proceeded  from  the  fishing  party  that  had  been  sent  for,  with  a 
view  to  alarm  the  Indians,  and  deter  them  from  the  commission  of  outrage, 
were  surmises  that  severally  occnrred  to  Captain  Headley,  but  without  ena- 
bling him  to  arrive  at  any  definite  opinion.  That  there  was  cause  for 
apprehension,  there  was  no  doubt.  The  appearance  of  a  band  of  strange 
Indians  in  the  neighborhood,  however  small  in  number,  dressed  in  their 
war-paint,  gave  earnest  of  coming  trouble,  not  only  through  their  own  aots, 
1>at  through  the  infiaence  of  example  on  the  many  other  tribes  whom  they 
had  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  as  friends  and  allies.  In  the  midst  of 
these  reflections  arose  a  feeling  of  self-gratulation  that  he  had  preserved  that 
discipline  and  strict  attention  to  duty,  which,  he  knew,  that  all  must  now 
admit  to  have  been  correct,  and  which,  if  any  difficnlty  did  occiir,  could  not 
.fail  to  prove  of  the  utmost  importance. 

His  first  consideration  now  was  the  safety  of  the  small  fishing  party,  to 
which  allusion  has  more  than  once  been  made  in  the  preceding  pages,  (wd 
which  it  was  a  source  of  satisfaction  to  him  to  recollect  were,  in  accordance 
with  an  order  never  departed  from  on  these  and  similar  excursions,  far- 
nished  with  tiie  necessary  arms  and  ammuuition,  although  only  in  their 
fatigue  dress. 

f  ,  "  Mr.  Eliusley,"  he  said  turning  to  that  officer,  who  stood  waiting  his 
orders,  "  who  commands  the  tishing  party?" 

"Corporal  Nixon,  sir,"  replitd  the  lieutenant,  at  once  entering  into  his 
motive  for  the  inquiry,  "  a  brave,  but  discreet  soldier,  and  one  who,  I  am 
snre,  will  evince  all  necessary  resolution,  should  he  see  anything  of  these 
Indians.  The  men  who  are  with  him  are  also  fine  young  fellows,  and 
among  oar  best  shots."  „  ,j„^ 


THS    FALL    OF    CHICXaO. 


21 


"  I  am  glad  to  hear  this,"  was  the  rejoinder,  "  bat  still,  twelve  ludians  fir- 
ing from  the  woods  upon  half  their  namber  in  an  open  boat,  and  taken  by 
gurprise,  would,  I  fear,  render  the  activity,  courage,  and  skill  of  these  lat- 
ter but  of  little  avail.  My  hope  is,  that  Corporal  Nixon  may  see  nothing  of 
them,  but  that,  on  the  contrary,  if  he  has  been  appi-ised  by  the  boy,  as  the 
.fellow  says  he  was  to  be,  of  their  presence  at  Hey  wood's  farm,  he  will  mak«- 
his  way  back  without  stopping,  or  at  least,  use  every  precaution  to  conceal 
himself,  until  he  can  drop  down  under  cover  of  the  darkness." 

**What,  sir,"  said  the  lieutenant,  with  a  surprise  he  could  ill  conceal, 
"would  you  desire  him  not  to  afford  the  necessary  ^uccor  to  Mr.  Hey  wood, 
if,  indeed,  he  should  be  in  time  to  render  any  service  ?'* 

"  Mr.  Elmsley,"  remarked  his  captain,  somewhat  sternly,  "  my  sympathy 
for  the  fate  of  those  at  the  farm,  is,  perhaps  quite  as  strong  as  yours,  but  I 
have  a  higher  stake  at  issue — a  higher  object  than  the  indalgenoe  of  personal 
sympathy.  I  can  ill  afford,  threatening  as  appearances  are  at  this  moment, 
to  risk  the  lives  of  six  men,  the  best  you  say  in  the  fort,  out  of  the  very 
small  force  at  my  disposal.  Nothing  must  be  left  undone  to  secure  their  i 
safety.  Order  a  gun  to  be  fired  immediately  from  the  southern  bastion.  It 
will  be  distinctly  heard  by  the  party,  and  if  not  already  apprised  of  the  exist- 
ing danger  they  will  at  once  understand  tlie  signal.  Moreover  the  report 
may  have  the  effect  of  alarming  the  savages." 

Lieutenant  Klmsley  withdrew  to  execute  the  order,  and  soon  after  the  dull 
booming  of  a  cannon  was  heard  reverberating  throughont  the  surrounding 
woods,  and  winding  its  echoes  along  the  waters  of  the  narrow  and  tranquil 
Otiicago.  So  unusual  an  event  as  this  excited  a  good  deal  of  speculation, 
not  only  among  the  inmates  of  tlie  Fort,  but  among  the  numerous  fKendly 
Indians  encamped  without,  who,  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  cause  of  the' 
alarm,  were,  by  the  strict  orders  of  tiaptain  Headley,  kept  ignorant  of  the 
information  of  which  Ephraim  Giles  had  been  the  bearer — 

That  Bight  there  was  a  more  than  usual  vi^lance  exercised  by  the  senti- 
nels, and  although  the  rest  of  the  garrison  were  exempt  from  extraordinary 
dnty,  the  watchful  and  anxious  comiAanding  ofiScer  slept  not  until  dawn. 


o.U  jHifY'f  lib  I  >  h)■'0\,^ 

r  i;.'>'/..  iiail  ;..■  (  ri:-!   M  ■^■'>  . 
^T  a  distance  o! 


-{^r  -^  ■ 


■1   Id 


CHAPTER  in. 


two  nifles'abbVd  Hey  Wood's  farm,  and  oh  the  south-' 
ern  branch  of  the  Ohicago,  which  Winds  its  slightly  serpentine  course 
between  the  wood  and  the  prairie.  There  was  at  the  period  of  which  we 
treat,  a  small  deep  bay  formed  by  two  adjacent  and  densely  wooded  points' 
of  land,  in  the  cool  shades  of  which  the  pike,  the  black  bass,  and  the  pick- 
erel loved  to  lie  in  the  heat  of  summer,  and  Where,  in  early  spring,  thoagh  in 
less  numbers,  they  were  wont  to  congregate.  This  was  the  customary  fishingi 
spot  of  the  garrison — six  men  and  a  non-commissioned  officer,  repairing  there 
almost  daily,  with  their  ample  store  of  lines  and  spears,  as  much,  although 
not  avowedly,  for  their  own  amusement,  as  for  the  snpply  of  the  officer's 
tabid.    Wha^  remained,  after  a  certain  division  among  these,  became  the' 


■•"'• 


i   ". 


p| 


'■hIl' 


■v.;.*"! 
■'■*'•' 


ti 


f  ^ 

m 


».. 


1 

*fi'  'I 


I 


1 

22          ^ 

• 

har[»scrabule';    or*' 

property  of  the  captorij 
necessary  for  tlieir  next 

,  wlio,  after  appropriating  to  thetnselvet)  wliat  was    ' 
(1ay*8  meal,  distributed  the  rest  among  the  non-com- 

1' 


}i- 


missioned,  and  men  of  the  company.  As  the  season  advanced,  and  the  fish 
became  more  plenty,  there  was  little  limitation  of  quantity,  for  the  freight, 
nightly  brought  home,  and  taken  with  the  line  and  spear  alone,  was  safB- 
oient  to  aflFord  every  one  abundance.  In  truth,  even  in  the  depth  of  winter,, 
there  was  little  privation  endured  by  the  garrison — the  fat  venison  brought  in 
and  sold  for  the  veriest  trifle  by  the  Indians — theludoious  and  ample  prairie 
hen,  chiefly  shot  by  the  oflicers,  and  the  fish  we  have  named,  leaving  no 
oecessity  for  consumption  of  the  salt  food  with  which  it  was  but  indifferently 
stored.       ,.,.,.»    ...,,:,.  4...;.,  .,.'       ..    ...._..:';    ■"    -  ~'>r  ''■    \'\    '^V ; '" 

On  the  day  on  which  our  narrative  has  commenced,  the  usual  fishiug  party 
had  ascended  the  river  at  an  early  hour,  for  the  newness  of  the  sedson  and 
the  shortness  of  the  days  rendered  it  an  object  that  they  should  be  on  the 
accustomed  haunt  as  soon  as  possible.  They  had  left  the  Fort  at  daylight, 
passing  Heywood's  farm  at  the  moment  when,  for  the  purpose  of  foddering 
the  cattle  on  the  opposite  bank,  he,  with  the  boy  Wilton,  was  crossing  in  the 
yery  canoe  in  which  Ephraim  Giles  afterwards  made  his  escape — the  latter 
with  the  Canadian,  being  engaged  in  felling  trees  higher  up  the  river. 

Arrived  at  the  little  bay  to  wliich  we  have  just  adverted,  the  boat  was 
fastened  to  the  gnarled  trunk  of  a  tree,  which  projected  over  the  deep  water 
at  the  nearest  point,  and  the  party,  taking  with  them  their  fishing  rods,  baits, 
and  haversacks,  bat  leaving  their  spears  and  muskets  in  the  boat,  dispersed 
themselves  at  short  distances  along  the  curve  that  formed  the  bay,  which, 
however,  was  not  more  than  three  hundred  yards  in  extent,  from  point  to 
point. 

When  they  first  cast  their  lines  into  t^e  water,  the  sun's  rays  were  dearly 
visible  through  the  thick  wood  in  their  rear.  The  early  morning,  too,  had 
been  cold — almost  frosty — so  much  so,  that  the  wild  ducks,  which  generally 
evinced  a  good  deal  of  shynesH,  now^  seemingly  emboldened  by  the  brskiness 
of  the  atmosphere,  could  be  seen  g^ding  about  in  considerable  numbers, 
about  half  a  mile  below  them ;  while  the  fish,  on  the  contrary,  as  though 
dissatisfied  with  the  temperature  of  their  element,  refused  to  do  what  the 
men  called  "  the  amiable,"  by  approaching  the  hook.  Their  occupation  had 
been  continued  until  long  past  mid-day,  during  which  time  not  more  than  a 
dozen  fish  had  been  taken.  Vexed  at  his  ill  luck,  for  he  had  not  had  even  a 
nibble,  one  of  the  men  flung  his  rod  upon  tLo  bank,  impatiently,  and  then,  , 
seating  himself  on  the  projecting  root  of  a  large  tree,  declared  it  was  all 
nonsense  to  play  the  fool  any  longer,  and  that  the  most  sensible  thing  they 
could  do,  was  to  take  their  dinners — smoke  their  pipes — and  wash  the  whole 
down  with  a  little  of  the  mouongahela. 

*^I  eay,  Collins,"  remarked  the  corporal,  good-naturedly,  "  we  shall. have 
poor  fare  for  the  oflBcers'  mess,  let  done  our  own,  if  we  all  follow  yonr 
example,  and  give  up  so  soon.  But,  as  yon  say,  it's  time  to  have  some  grub, 
and  we'll  try  our  luck  afterwards." 

"  Borne  wasn't  built  in  a  day,"  said  the  man  who  had  been  fishing  next  to 
Oollina,  and  drawing  in  his  line  also,  "we've  a  good  many  honrs  left  yet.",  ^[ 

Following  the  recommendation  of  the  corporal,  the  rest  of  the  party  art 


THE 

4^- 


FALL    OF    CHICAGO, 


89 


down  on  the  "dj^e  of  the  bank,  and,  opening  their  haversackfl,  produced  each 
his  allowance  of  corn  bread  and  venison,  or  salted  pork,  after  dinpatohing 
■which,  with  the  aid  of  their  clasp  knives,  they  took  a  refresiiing  "  hofil " 
from  the  general  canteen  that  Collins  carried  suspended  over  hi<?  slionld0fy 
aud  then  drew  forth  and  lighted  their  pipes. 

As  the  latter  puffed  away  with  a  vigor  that  proved  either  a  preocoaplfid 
mind,  or  extreme  gratification  with  the  weed,  he  cast  his  eyes  carelessly  down 
the  stream,  whiere  a  large  description  of  duck,  called  by  the  French  natives 
of  the  country,  tiie  eou  rougt^  from  the  color  of  their  necks,  were  disporting 
themselves  as  thougli  nothing  in  the  shape  of  a  fire  arm  was  near  them— 
now  diving — now  rising  on  their  feet,  and  shaking  their  outstretched  wings, 
now  chasing  each  other  in  limited  circles,  and  altogether  so  apparently 
emboldened  by  their  immunity  from  interruption,  as  to  come  close  to  the 
hank,  at  a  distance  of  little  more  than  fifty  yards  from  the  spot  where  he  sat. 

*'  It^s  very  ridiculous,*'  he  at  length  remarked,  pouring  forth  at  the  same 
time,  an  unusual  volume  of  smoke,  and  watching  the  curling  eddies  as  they 
rose  far  above  his  liead — ^^  it's  very  ridiculous,  I  say,  the  captin's  order  that 
we  sha^nt  fire.  Look  at  them  ducks — how  they  seem  to  know  all  abont 
it,  tool" 

"  By  gosh  1"  said  another,  "  I've  a  good  notion  to  fetch  my  musket,  add 
have  a  slap  into  them.    Shall  I,  corporal  ?" 

r><  "Oertainly  not.  Green,"  was  the  answer.  *'If  it  was  known  in  the  Fort 
I  had  permitted  any  of  the  party  to  fire,  I  should  be  broke,  if  I  did'nt  get 
picketed  for  my  pains,  and  none  of  us  would  ever  get  out  again." 

"  No  great  barm  in  that^  either,"  said  the  man  who  had  made  the  novel 
observation  that  Bome  had  not  been  built  in  a  day.         "  '^     '  '     ' 
!.  The  corporal  looked  sharply  at  the  latt  speaker,  is  if  not  fully  compre- 
hending his  meaning. 

"Jackson  n^ans  no  great  barm  if  we  never  got  out  again,"  interposed 
Oollins,  "and  I  think  as  be  does,  for  J  see  no  fun  in  rowing  four  or  five  miles 
to  fish,  and  scarcely  getting  a  sight  of  one.^?,  '■, ',  "i,   . '  't''  '  '"'     ' '* '';"  ' ^ 

"  Well,  hut  Oollins, ^that's  not  always  our  luck.  K'm  sure  we've  had  spoirt 
enough  before.  It  must  be  because  the  weather's  rather  cold  to-day,  that 
ibe  fish  won't  bite." 

,ff  "It'a  of  no  use  his  grumbling,  Philips,"  remarked  Corporal  Nixon, 
"  we're  hei'Cj  uot  so  much  for  own  sport  as  on  a  duty  for  the  garrison.  Let 
me  hear  no  more  of  this,  Collins." 

"  Well,  corporal  that's  true  enough,"  said  Green,  *'  but  dash  me  if  it  isn't 
temptin'  to  see  them  fellows  there  stealin'  upon  us,  and  we  lookin*  on,  and 

doin'  nothin'.",  i;.,;^^  .,,u  'J,  ,c;;^^ ;,;, ':.;:,:;,,;.  _;;,:;,;;:; ;  ■;;;=;•  - ;-':  ■■;^^;;^^^  ^ 

"What  fellows  do  you  mean?"  inquired  the  corporal,  suddenly  starting  || 
his  feet," and  looking  down  the  river. 

"  Why,  them  ducks  to  be  sure,  see  how  they  come  sailin*  up  to  us,  as  if 
they  knowed  all  about  the  captin's  order — ^no  Jumpin'  or  friskin^  now,  but 
all  of  a  heap  like."  .,  ;  ,„.,       .,,,,    ,,„,•,        ,    ''  ,r 

"Tes,  but  I  say,  what's  that  black  looking  thing  beyond  the  ducks  f" 
asked  one  who  had  not  hitherto  spoken,  pointing  his  finger. 

"  Where,  where,  Weston?"  exclaimed  one  or  two  yoioei^  and  the  speak- 
«rs  looked  in  the  direction  indicated.     <  ;,  '      '  '       ^  '      ' '  ^'     '^" 


■rs 


■JO.  lit 


IRO-  to  (farfl! 


.'(ijif"! 


!  .„(] 


<^ 


24 


HARDSCRABBLB 


•1  I  . 

OR, 


r 


"  Hang  me  il  it  Ihu'i  a  bour,"  said  Collins  in  a  low,  aaxioua  tone;  ''  that's 
the  chap  that  has  sent  tliu  duoks  so  near  ua.  Do  let  ine  have  a  uraok  at 
him,  corporal.  He's  largo  enough  to  supply  ua  all  witli  freah  meat  for 
three  days,  and  will  make  up  for  tl>o  bad  flshiug.  Only  one  »hy,  corporal, 
and  I  engage  not  to  misa  liim." 

,  Sure  enougli,  there  wuh,  in  the  centre  of  tlm  atream,  a  dark  object,  nearly 
half  a  mile  distant,  which  all  Joined  in  pronouncing  to  be  a  bear.  It  was 
swimming  vigorously  acroaa  tu  their  side  ot'  the  river. 

"I  think  we  might  take  him  aa  he  lands,"  observed  Green.  "  Wliat  say 
you,  corporal ;  I  reckon  you'll  let  ua  try  that^  if  you  won't  let  us  fl^e?" 

"  Stay  all  where  you  are,"  was  the  reply.  "  I  can  manage  him  myself 
with  a  spear,  if  I  can  only  be  in  time  before  he  reachea  the  ahore.  If  not, 
it''8  no  matter,  for  I  won't  allow  a  trigger  to  be  pulled." 
'  Corporal  Nixon  was  a  tall,  active,  strong-limbed  Virginian.  He  soon 
cleared  the  space  that  separated  them  from  the  boat,  and  Jumping  to  the 
Stern,  seized  one  of  the  fishing  spears,  and  then  moved  on  through  the  wood 
that  densely  skirted  the  bank.  Bat  he  had  not  heen  five  minutes  gone 
when  he  again  made  his  appearance,  not  immediately  by  the  half-fbrmed 
path  he  had  previously  taken,  but  by  a  slight  detour  to  the  rear.         ^"'  '■* 

"Hist,  hist,"  he  said  in  ah  audible  whisper,  as  soon  as  he  saw  that  he  Was 
perceived,  motioning  at  the  same  time  with  his  hand  to  enjoin  silence;  aad 
concealment.  Then,  beckoning  to .  Wtoton  to  Join  him,  he  again  nioved 
along  the  path  with  the  light  tread  of  one  who  fears  to  alarm  an  object 
unconscious  of  interruption.         ,    ..  ,  ;     .  ''  ",     'V'     -"'  ■'•i 

All  had  the  sense  to  underoWiid'  thii  tlief^'Wfty'^otti^  gbodi  rc^aSs^hi^r'the 
caution  of  the  corporal,  and  with  the  exception  of  Weston,  who  bad 
promptly  obeyed  the  signal,  busily,  but  silently  resumed  their  mofning's 
occupation.    ,  .ijii.i  .ui  ^ci  ,<(.,iij, ,  . 

First,  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  then  minWe  after  mfniiile'  passed  slowly 
away,  yet  there  was  no  sign  of  the  return  of  their  companions.  What  ooold 
be  the  meaning  of  this?  If  the  bear  had  not  proved  to  be  too  mnoh  for 
them,  they  ought  to  have  killed  him,  and  rejoined  them  before  this.  Curi- 
psity,  nay,  apprehension  finally  overciame  the  strong  sende  of  obediettbeto 
orders,  which  had  been  literally  drilled  into  them,  and  they  all,  at  this  sug- 
gestion of  Green,  dropped  their  rods  on  the  bank,  and  moved  oantioa^ly  in 
the  direction  that  had  been  taken  by  the  corporal  and  Weston.  Gfeat,  how- 
ever, was  the  surprise  of  Collins,  then  a  little  in  advance,  when,  on  near!ng 

,^he  spot  where  the  boat  lay  mooredj  he  beheld,  not  those  of  whom  they 
were  in  search,  but  a  naked,  and  hideously  painted  savage,  in  the  very  act' of 
untying  tlie  rope  by  which  the  skiff  was  fastened  to  the  knotted  and  projeot- 

%groot  of  the  tree.  Sensible  that  there  was  impending  danger^  although 
he  knew  not 'of  what  precise  kind,  inasmuch  as  there  was  no  Reason  to 
apprehend  anything  hostile  from  the  Indians,  with  all  of  whom  around 
the  fort,  they  had  alwalys  been  on  friendly  terms,  he  sprang  forward  to 
arrest  the  movement.  But  the  distance  was  several  rods,  and  the  savagd, 
alarmed  by  the  rnstling  made  among  the  foliage  and  brushwood  in  his  rear, 
now  put  his  shoulder  to  thd  boat,  and,  in  the  next  instant  would  have  had  * 
it  fir  across  the  stream,  had  not  a  hand,  suddenly  protruded  from  beneath 
the  liollow  clump  of  earth  on  which  the  tree  greW,  grasped  him  fif mly  by 


THR     FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


aT) 


the  ankle,  even  wliile  in  the  act  of  flpringing  into  the  forcibly  impelled  »kiff. 
Id  a  moment  or  two,  he  grappled  tightly  with  his  hands  upon  the  bow  of 
the  boat,  but,  finding  tlie  pressure  on  his  imprisoned  limb  too  great  for  reels* 
tance,  he  relinquished  liis  hold,  falling  upon  his  face  in  the  water,  from 
whioh  he  was  dragged,  altiiough  without  violenoe,  by  Ourporal  Nizon,  who 
^ad  emerged  from  liis  hiding-plaoe. 

When  the  Indiati  was  suffered  to  rise,  there  was  a  threatening  expression 
on  his  countenance,  which,  not  even  iiie  number  of  those  by  whom  he  w^ 
now  surrounded  could  check,  and  he  made  an  involuntary  motion  of  his  bi^d 
to  his  scalping  knife,  the  only  weapon  with  which  he  was  armed,  that  Uy,^ 
the  sheath  daDgling  from  bis  girdle.  Seeing,  however,  that  there  wAS^  no 
hostile  disposition  manifested  by  the  party,,  he  speedily  relinquished  his  ;^t 
impulse,  and  stood  upright  befbre  them  with  a  bold,  but  calm  look. 

"What  you  want  with  boat  f"  asked  the  corporal,  almost  inyoloabarily, 
and  without  the  slightest  expectation  thathis  qnesUon  would  be  ^nderstoq^* 

*t  Me  want  'em  cross,"  replied  the  Indii^n,  pointing  to  the  opposite  vifpods. 

*^  But  why  you  Qome  In  bear  skin  I"  and,  in  jhis  torn,  the  oorporalipointed 
with  his  finger  in  the  direction  in  which  the  supposed  bear  had  been  seen. 

" Ugh  1"  grunted  tUe.sf^y^edfOggedly,  finding ^9t^»,^,bi?i^n,. 4,9^1^ 
inbis^disgnlse.  \-.   ;  .u^  .<„  ^i  i.^r.irhi.iv -..m  v - 

■  "  What  nation  you  t-^Pott«.wattamie !»  4.;  .ni.^nni w.  .v.v  ^i\i  ..iw.a 
,.  '♦Wahl    Pottawattamie  1" 

"Onrions  enough,"  pursued  the  corporal,  addressing  himself  tqUa^m* 
rades.  *^  I  don't  half  like  the  look  of  the  fellow,  but  I  suppose  it's  aU.i)icht. 
We  musn't  offend  him.  You  chief  f", he  continued,  pointing  to  a  4arge 
silver  medal  suspended  over  the  breast  of  the  athletic  and  well-proportJonipd 
Indian. 

"  Tes,  me  chief.    Pottawattamie  chief,"  and  he  made  a  sign  in  tbj^^ireo* 
tion  of  the  Fort,  near  which  the  encampment  of  that  tribe  lay.     .i,  .....  .,.,y 

,,  '^'  Tpu  friend,  then  ?"  remarked  the  corporal,  extending  his  band. 

''Tes,  me  friend,"  he  answered  promptly,  brightening  up  and  taking  ,th« 
proffered  hand ;  "  you  give  'em  boat  t" 

"Do  yon  see  any  thing  green  in  my  eye?"  asked  the  Virginian,  inoi^ablfg^ 
•▼en  under  the  circuiru^tanoes,  of  repressing  the  indulgence  of  his  humor. 

But  the  party  questioned,  although  speaking  a  little  English,  was  1^04 
su^oieotly  initiated  in  its  elegancies  to  comprehend  this;  so,  he  mere^j 
answered  with  a  ^^ughl"  while  the  greater  portion  of  the  men  laug)b^(^ 
boisterously^  both  at  the  wit  of  the  corporal,  and  at  the  seeming  astonish- 
ment it  excited.     1.,  .-^,1  l^  v 

This  mirth  by  no  means  suited  the  humor  of  the  Indian.  He  felt  that  it 
was  directed  towards  himself,  and  again  he  stood  fierce,  and  with  adilajtiii|g 
frame  before  them.  •    -    ,7  '-^ 

Corporal  Nixon  at  once  became  sensible  of  his  error.  To  affront  one  of 
the  friendly  chiefs  would,  he  knew,  not  only  compromise  the  intei  ssts  of  the 
garrison,  but  incur  the  severe  displeasure  of  the  cominanding  officer,  who 
liad  alwsiys  enjoined  the  most  scrupulous  abstinence  from  any  thing  o:^ensly;e. 

"I  only  veant  to  say,"  he  added,  as  he  again  extended  his  hand.    **! 


^■m 


.■•■-■-■  a 


».    it*- 


«• 


HAROaCRABBLR  ;    OR, 


^ 


I 


il  f-d.i  '»i!ii  rfiui  I  (ii>l>  J 


.«OiW|-/ 


banH  give  Vm  boat.     White  chiefs**  and  he  pointed  in  the  direction  of  Um 
Fort,  *'  no  let  mo." 

'*Ughl"  exclaimed  the  Indian,  hJH  Htern  features  ngnin  brighttiiiingup  with 
a  last  hope.     "  'Spose  come  with  Injiii  I" 

For  a  moment  or  two,  the  corporal  liesitated  wliether  nr  not  to  put  tha 
man  ooroeij,  hut  when  he  redectod  un  tlie  Hingiilar  manner  of  Ids  advent,  aad 
Other  oiroumstaHoes  connected  with  bis  appearance  among  them,  hia  oustoin- 
ary  prudence  came  to  his  aid,  and  while  avoiding  all  ground  for  otfenoe  bj 
lift  mode  of  refusal,  he  gave  him  peremptorily  to  underatand  that  tliere  waa 
tn  order  against  hiti  suffering  the  boat  to  leave  its  present  station. 

Again  the  countenance  of  the  Indian  fell,  even  while  his  quick  eye  rolled 
Inoeaiantly  from  one  to  the  other  of  the  gruu)).  "  You  no  give  'em  boat — 
Ii\Jin  awim,*'  he  at  length  observed. 

*'  JTnst  as  yon  please,"  answered  corporal  Nixon.  "  By  and  bye,  sogera  go 
to  the  Fort — take  Ii\jin  with  'em.'* 

'  '**Wabl  Injin  cross  here,"  and  as  he  spoke,  be  sprang  again  to  the  bow 
of  the  boat,  and  at  a  single  bound  cleared  the  intervening  space  to  the  very 
stem. 

Several  heavy  splashes  in  thi^  wateiS  -a  muttered  curse  from  the  corporal 
— some  confusion  among  his  men,  and  the  savage  was  seen  nearly  half-way 
across  the  river,  swimming  like  an  eel  to  the  opposite  shore.        ' 

"Damn  the  awkward  brute!"  exclaimed  the  former,  angrily.  "How 
niany  mtiskets  are  there  overboard,  Jackson  t" 

"  Only  three — and  two  oartouob  boxes." 
u,(U  Onl]/  three  indeed  I    I  wish  the  fellow  had  been  ai  old  Nick,  instead  of 
tsoming  here  to  create  all  this  confusion.    Is  the  water  deep  at  the  stern  ?" 

"  Nearly  a  fathom  I  reckon,*'  was  the  reply. 

"  Then,  my  lads,  yon  must  look  oat  for  other  fish  to-day.  Jackson,  can 
you  see  the  muskets  at  the  bottom ?"      "7'"*  '''^'"'^  "'•'"'  '""'^  ;"'>^  ".; ''"'' 

"  Not  a  sign  of  them,  corporal,"  answered  the  man,  as  lying  flat  6n  the 
boat,  he  peered  intently  into  the  water.  '^Tl#^  bottom  is  covered  with 
weeds,  and  I  can  just  see  the  tails  of  two  large  pikes  wriggling  among  them. 
By  Gimini,  I  think  if  1  had  ray  rod  here,  I  could  take  them  both  I" 
•  "Never  mind  them,"  resumed  the  corporal,  again  delivering  himself  of  a 
HtUe  wit ;  "  muskets  will  be  of  far  more  use  to  us  Just  now  than  pikes.  We 
mbst  tish  tliem  up — there  will  be  the  devil  to  pay  if  we  go  home  without 
them." 

"  Then  there's  no  other  way  than  diving  for  them,"  gaid  Jackson,  still 
lool{ing  downwards.    "  Not  even  the  glitter  of  a  barrel  can  I  see.    They 
must  have  buried  themselves  in  tlie  weeds.     I  say,  Weston,"  slightly  raising 
hie  head  and  turning  bis  face  to  the  party  named,  "  You're  a  good  diver?" 
•"  Yes,  and  Collins  is  better  tlian  me."  *'5'  ^'''*^'''?  ''f-'«"» 

"  Well  then,  here's  at  it,"  resumed  Jackson,  rising  and  commencing  tc 
strip.  "  It's  only  by  groping  and  feeling  tliat  we  can  find  the  arms,  and 
when  once  we've  tumbled  on  'em,  it  will  be  easy  enough  to  get  'era  up  with 
one  hand,  while  we  swim  with  the  otlier.  We  must  plunge  here  from  the 
•tern,"  he  added,  as  the  men  wliom  he  had  named  jumped  on  board  «nd 
©ommenced  stripping  themselves.  "  ': "     '-'[''.': 


h 


• 


^ 


Y 


THE     FAU-     OK     CHICAfX). 


it 


I — 1  -  —  — - ^1  —  — — o 

that  painted  clinp  if  he  saw  anything  gre«n  in  your  eye. 
may  be,  but  haiig  me,  if  it  wasn't  a  little  green  to  take  hit 


**How  cnine  tlio  Injin  to  knoclc  the  mnakets overbuard,  Corporal?"  inquired 
one  of  the  party  who  had  not  yet  spoken — a  fat,  portly  man,  with  a  long 
hooked  nime,  and  a  peaked  oliin.  '  ■■•♦-      ■■^ .,,,..,. 

"  I'm  daslied,"  replied  Nixon,  "  if  I  can  tell  myiielf,  though  T  was  looktn| 
at  him  n^  'le  Jumped  from  one  end  of  the  boat  to  the  otiier.  All  I  know  is, 
tlie  firelocii  were  propped  ngainst  the  Htern  of  the  boat  as  we  placed  them^ 
with  tlie  backs  of  the  cartouch  boxes  slung  under  the  ramrodo,  and  I  snppose, 
for  I  don't  loiow  huw  o\»*>  it  could  be  done,  that  instead  of  alighting  on  the 
•eat,  he  munt  iiavo  passeii  it,  nnd  putting  his  foot  on  tiie  muzzles,  tipped  them 
with  the  Aoigiit  of  his  body,  head  over  heels  into  tlie  water." 

"  Corporal,"  ventured  Ooliiti^,  as  he  removed  his  last  garment,  '^  you  asked 

Now,  that's  as  it 
him  for  a  Pottowat- 
tamiet" 

"  And  how  do  you  know  he  was'nt  a  Pottowattamie  ?  Wlio  made  you  a 
Jndge  of  Indian  flesh  7"  retorted  the  corporal,  with  an  ainof  dissatisfaction. 
^'  Didn't  he  say  he  was,  and  didn't  he  wear  a  chief's  medal  V 

"  Say  ?  Tes,  I'll  be  bound  he'd  say  and  wear  anything  to  gnll  as,  but  Vm 
sure  he's  no  Pottowattamie.  I  never  seen  a  Pottowattamie  of  that  build. 
They  are  tall,  tiiin,  skinny,  bony  fellows — while  this  chap  was  square,  stout, 
broad-shouldered,  and  full  of  musole."  •  ' » -     ' '         ; 

Oorpoia^  Nixon  pondered  a  little,  because  half^oohtiniiM,  btit  WOald  hot 
acknowledge  that  be  could  have  been  mistaken.  '^  Are  yon  all  ready  ?"  h« 
at  length  inquired,  anxious,  like  most  men,  when  driven  into  a  corner  on  one 
topic,  to  introduce  another.     *"'Hi*""i ,  "■.nu....  -, .,  . .  ,....=  „,  ^..i  ^uia  ...»« 

"  All  ready,"  answered  Jackson,  taking  the  first  plunge  in  the  direction  in 
which  he  knew  the  muskets  must  have  fallen. 

Before  following  his  example,  the  others  waited  for  his  report.  This  was 
soon  made.  He  had  got  hold  of  one  of  the  muskets,  and  partly  lifted  it  from 
its  bed,  but  the  net-work  of  strong  weeds  above  it,  opposing  too  much  resist* 
ance,  he  had  been  compelled  to  quit  his  hold,  and  came  to  the  surface  of  this 
water  for  air. 

•'  <*  Here's  for  another  trial,"  shouted  Oollins,  as  he  made  his  plunge  in  tho 
same  direction.  In  a  few  seconds  he  too,  reappeared,  bearing  in  his  right 
hand,  not  a  firelock,  but  the  two  missing  cartouch  boxes. 

•'  Better  luck  next  time,"  remarked  corporal  Nixon.    "  I  think  my  lad/i, 
if  two  of  you  were  to  separate  the  weeds  with  your  hands,  so  as  to  clear , 
each  musket,  the  other  might  easily  bring  it  up."        '"''  '^'  « '»'^^"«  ";■"  ^'^ 

The  suggestion  of  the  corporal  was  at  once  acted  upon,  but  it  was  not, 
until  after  repeated  attempts  had  been  inade  to  liberate  the  arms  from  their 
Web-like  canopy,  that  two  were  finally  brought  up  and  placed  in  the  boat. 
The  third  they  groped  for  in  vain,  until  at  length,  the  men,  dispirited  a^d 
tired,  declared  it  was  utterly  useless  to  prosecute  the  search,  and  that  the 
other  musket  must  be  given  up  ns  lost. 

This,  however,  did  not  suit  the  views  of  the  correct  corporal.  He  sale, 
pointedly,  that  he  would  almost  as  soon  return  without  his  head  as  without 
his  arms,  and  that  the  day  having  been  thus  far  spent  without  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  object  for  which  they  were  there,  he  was  determined  ta 


1-'!- 


r-e 


\.\'.  I 
.Ci 


'W 


f 

: 


S8 


HARDSCRABBL&  ;     OR, 


■V   I 


devote  the  remainder  to  the  eearch.  l^ot  being  a  bad  diver  himself,  although 
lie  had  not  hitherto  deemed  it  necessary  to  add  his  exertions  to  those  of  his 
comrades,  he  now  stripped,  desiring  those  who  had  preceded  him  to  throw 
on  their  shirts  and  rest  themselves  for  another  plunge,  when  he  should  have 
succeeded  in  finding  out  where  the  missing  musket  had  lodged. 

"  What's  that  ?"  exclaimed  Jackson,  pointing  to  a  small,  dark  object,  of  a 
nearly  ciroulai*  shape,  which  was  floating  about  half  way  between  the 
surface  of  the  place  into  which  the  divers  had  plunged,  and  the  w«eds 

below.    ,  '..  ,, ,.:.        ...,.,,■..,„!,...„:     •,,    ,,.     .....  '.  /'    ' .-j 

His  companions  turned  their  eyes  in  the  direction  indicated,  but,  almost 
immediately  after  Jackson  had  spoken,  it  had  disappeared  wholly  from  view. 

'*  What  did  it  loot  like  ?"  asked  the  corporal. 

"  It  must  have  been  a  mush  rat,"  returned  Jackson,  *^  there's  plenty  of 
them  about  here,  and  I  reckon  our  diving  has  disturbed  the  nest." 

Oorporal  Nixon  now  took  his  leap,  but  some  paces  farther  out  from  the 
shore  than  his  companions  had  ventured  upon  theirs.  The  direction  was  the 
,right  one.  Extending  his  arms  as  he  reached  a  space  entirely  free  from 
vreeds,  his  right  hand  encountered  the  cold  barrel  of  the  musket,  but  as  he 
sought  to  glide  it  along,  in  order  that  he  might  grasp  the  butt,  and  thus  dtt^ 
it  endwise  up,  his  hand  disturbed  some  hairy  substance  which  rested  upon 
the  weapon  causing  it  to  float  slightly  upwards,  until  it  came  in  contact  with 
bis  naked  breast.  Kow,  the  corporal  was  a  fearless  soldier  wliose  nerves 
were  not  easily  shaken,  but  the  idea  of  a  nasty  mush  I'at,  as  they  termed  it, 
touching  his  person  in  this  manner,  produced  in  him  unconquerable  disgost, 
even  while  it  gave  him  the  desperate  energy  to  clutch  the  object  with  a 
nervous  grasp,  and  without  regard  to  the  chance  of  being  bitten  in  the  act, 
by  the  small,  sharp  teeth  of  the  animal.  His  consternation  was  even  greater 
when,  on  enclosing  it  within  his  rough  palm,  he  felt  the  whole  to  collaps*^, 
as  though  it  had  been  a  heavy  air-filled  bladder,  burst  by  the  compression 
of  his  fingers.  A  new  feeling — a  new  chain  of  ideas  now  took  possession 
of  him,  and  leaving  the  musket  where  it  was,  he  rose  near  the  spot  from 
.irhioh  he  first  started,  and  still  clutching  his  hairy  and  undesirable  prize, 
threw  it  from  him  towards  the  boat,  into  the  bottom  of  which  it  fell,  after 
grazing  the  cheek  of  Collins. 

"Pooh!  pooh  I  pooh,"  spluttered  the  latter,  moving  as  if  the  action  was 
necessary  to  disembarrass  him  of  the  unsightly  object  no  longer  there.        ->; 

A  new  source  of  curiosity  was  now  created,  not  only  among  the  swimmers, 
b^it  the  idlers  who  were  smoking  their  pip*;:-,  and  looking  carelessly  on.  All 
now,  without  venturing  to  touch  the  loathsome  looking  thing,  gathered 
aromid  it  endeavoring  to  ascertain  rdally  what  it  was.  ,,,,,■  ,,^^|^ 

•"  What  do  you  make  of  the  creature ?"  nsked  corporal  Nixon,  who,  now 
ascending  the  side  of  the  boat,  observed  how  much  the  interest  of  his  men 
had  been  excited. 

"  I'm  sure  I  can't  say,"  answered  Jackson.  **  It  looks  for  all  the  world  like 
a  rat,  only  the  hair  is  so  long.  Dead  enough  though,  for  it  does  not  budge 
an  inch." 

"  Let's  see  what  it  is,"  said  the  man  with  the  long  hooked  nose,  and  the 
peaked  chin. 


a 
the 


THE    FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


29 


fiy  DO  means  anxioos,  however,  to  touch  it  with  his  hands,  he  took  np  the 
spear  and  turned  over  and  over  the  clammy  and  motionless  mass.    , ;,,.,    ,  fy 

"  Just  as  I  thought,"  exclaimed  the  oorporal,  with  a  shudder,  as  the  wedf 
pen  unfolding  the  whole  to  view,  disdosed  alternately  the  moistened  hair  and 
thick  and  bloody  skin  of  a  human  head. 
<■•■   **'G«mini,"  cried  Jackson,  how  came  this  scalp  here,  it  has  been  freshly 
taken — ^tbis  very  day — yet  how  could  it  get  here?"  ' 

'^Depend  upoii't,"  said  Green,  ^'  that  chief  that  was  here  just  now,  oonld 
tell  somethin'  about  it,  if  he  had  a  mind." 

*'■  Then  he  must  have  had  it  in  his  breeoh-oloth,"  remarked  the  corporal 
«eriou3ly,  for  not  a  rag  besides  had  he  about  him."  TSOf  no  it  couldn't  be 
iim,  and  yet  its  very  strange" 

'^  Of  course  it  couldn't  be  him,"  maliciously  interfered  Collins,  who  had  00 
far  conquered  his.first  disgust,  as  to  take  the  object  of  discussion  into  bis  o\m 
bands,  "  for  you  know  he  was  a  Pottowattamie,  and  therefore  wouldn't'sealp 
for  the  world." 

"But  whose  can  it  be!"  resumed  Jackson,  and  how  did  it  get  bere.  I 
am  sure  its  that  of  a  boy." 

"  Oould  it  have  floated  here  from  the  farm  t"  half  questioned  Oreen  9111a- 
ingly.  "  Somethin'  struck  me  like  shots  from  tiiat  quart^,  about  an  h«ar 
before  the  Iiijin  swam  across,  and  dash  me,  now  I  recolleet  it,  Vpx  sure  I 
httad.  a  oryy  just  after  the  corporal  left  us  to  go  after  that  bear." 

"  N^onsense,"  said  the  Vir^nian, "  how  could  it  float  agunst  the  stream,  and 
as.  for  the  shots  you  think  yon  heard,  yon  must  have  taken  Ephrdm  Giles's 
aie  bloitrs  for  them.  Besides,  you  couldn't  hear  shots  at  that  distance.  If 
you  did,  it  must  be  from  some  of  the  hunters." 

"But  the  cry,  corporal,"  urged  Jackson,  '^  witiat,|9ay  you  to  the  cry  Green 
says  he  heard  when  you  left  us?"  ,,...,. 

;    "  All  stuff;  did  anybody  else  hear  it  besides  Green,  yon  were  all  sitting  on 
the  bank  with  him?" 

No  one  answering  in  the  affirmative,  Oorporal  lil^izon  declared  the  thing 
to  be  impossible,  or  he  should  have  heard  it  too;  nor  could  hesee  wltat 
«onneoti(Hi  there  was  between  that  cry — supposing  there  had  been  one— And 
the  facts  that  had  come  immediately  under  their  own  observaUon. 

"  Hist,"  interrupted  Oollins,  placing  one  hand  upon  the  speaker's  shoulder. 
And  with  the  other  directing  his  attention  to  what,  now  seen  by  the  whole 
of  the  party,  was  ill  calculated  to  re-assure  them. 


m-jA  &;!  rii-v./-  jiiiihnl  ;   /!(.  '.:ilh.  ■  'A',  (...1  (-:iJi  .■.■>.(n\    .*;[■■' ,i»; 


't 


"rirna!  '•■•-.'v -:»... '»T-.    CHAPTER   IV.  ;  f- >v/'u,  :.•,.,,.,/•  ,5«oii 

v^:  il  i:hi  .l)j--ij-ti  fij   -Aiiiu  .fir  'J!    •  !   ..  ■'  -,/<,  ii  ■:.,.>.i  <* 

SiKALTHiLY  gliding  through  the  fresh  and  thinly  foliaged  wood,  that 
skirted  the  opposite  shore,  yet  almost  concealed  from  view,  Oorporal 
Nixon  now  beheld  the  crouching  forms  of  several  armed  Indians,  nearly 
naked,  and  evidently  in  war  costume.  They  were  following  the  serpentine 
coui'se  necessitated  by  the  interposing  trees,  and  seeking  cautiously  to  estab* 
lish  lihemselVes  behind  cover  on  the  very  verge  of  the  bank. 


m 


V'- 


I 


r. 


80  HARDSCRABBLB  ;    OR, 

■   ■■  •  -ji;:*)     ;-;     '  :;.-i    ■:;;: 

*^  Back  men  for  your  lives,  there^s  nothing  friendly  there,"  exclaimed  the 
Yirginian  the  moment  that  his  glance  had  taken  in  the  scene,  "  out  with 
the  arms,  and  divide  the  dry  ammunition.  Oollins,  you  are  a  smart  fellow, 
do  yon  and  Green  set  to  work  and  light  a  fire,  but  out  of  sight,  and  dry  the 
muskets  as  fast  as  you  can.  There  are  twelve  pounds  in  each  of  the  five 
remaining  oartouch  boxes,  these  will  do  for  a  spell.  Jackson,  Philips,  tree 
yourselves,  while  Cass  lies  flat  in  the  stern,  and  keeps  a  good  look  oat  on 
the  devils,  without  exposing  himself.  Now,  ray  lads,  do  all  this  verj 
quietly,  and  as  if  yon  didn't  think  there  was  danger  at  hand.  If  they  see 
any  signs  of  fear,  they  will  pitch  it  into  yon  directly.  As  it  is,  they  are  only 
waiting  to  settle  themselves,  and  do  it  at  their  leisure." 

"  Pity  they  don't  make  a  general  of  yon,  corporal,"  remarked  Oollina,  as 
he  proceeded  quietly  with  Green  to  the  execution  of  the  duty  assigned  to 
them.  "  I  gness  Washington  himself  couldn't  better  command  a  little  army. 
Is  y6tir  battle  order  finished,  general?" 

'^Nohe  of  your  nonsense,  master  Oollins,  this  is  no  time  for  Jesting.  Go 
and  dry  these  arms,  and  when  you  have  them  so  that  they  can  send  a  bid* 
let  from  their  throats,  join  Jackson  and  Philips  in  covering  the  boat.  "Wes- 
ton  and  I  will  take  up  our  first  station." 

And  in  less  time  than  we  have  taken  to  describe  the  cause  of  the  alarm, 
and  the  instructions  given  in  oonsequence,  the  men  had  hastened  to  exacote 
the  several  duties  assigned  to  then!  on  shore,  while  Oass  remained,  not  only 
with  a  view  of  showing  the  Indians  that  the  boat  was  not  wholly  unguarded, 
bnt  to  be  enabled  to  inform  his  comrades,  who  could  distinctly  hear  him 
without  .rendering  any  particular  elevation  of  the  voice  necessary,  of  any 
important  movement  on  the  part  of  the  former.  This  quietude  of  arrang* 
ment  on  the  part  of  Corporal  Nixon  had,  seemingly,  been  not  without  effect. 
It  was  evident  that  the  Indians  had  no  suspicion  that  they  had  been  seen, 
and  even  when  the  men  coolly  quitted  the  boat,  they  showed  no  impatience 
indicative  of  an  impression  that  the  party  were  seeking  to  shield  themselves 
from  an  impending  danger.  ,  'lri\A  t'.ihi   !-   !     ;j 

"  Tills  silence  is  strange  enough,"  said  the  corporal  to  his  companion,  after 
they  had  been  some  minutes  secreted  in  the  cavity  from  which  the  depart* 
nre  of  the  Indian  with  the  boat  had  been  arrested.  '^  I  almost  wisli  they 
would  fire  a  shot,  for  that  wotdd  at  once  tell  us  how  to  act,  and  what  we  are 
to  expect,  whether  they  are  friendly  Indians  or  not."       ;  rn  f  i ; .  f    ,  i  ^ - '  • 

But  no  shot  was  fired,  and  frem  the  moment  when  the  men  quitted  the 
boat,  and  took  up  their  positions,  everything  had  continued  silent  as  the 
grave  on  the  opposite  shore,  and  not  the  vestige  of  an  Indian  could  be  seen. 

"  But  for  that  scalp,"  again  remarked  the  corporal,  "  I  should  take  the 
party  to  have  been  friendly  Indians,  perhaps  just  retnrued  from  a  buffalo 
hunt,  and  come  down  to  the  water  to  drink.    They  are  surely  gone  again." 

"Look  there,"  said  Weston,  in  a  subdued  tone,  while  he  placed  his  hand 
on  the  shoulder  of  his  superior,  as  both  lay  crouched  in  their  hiding-place, 
"look  there,  corporal,"  and  he  pointed  with  his  finger  to  the  opposite  bank. 
"  Do  you  see  that  large,  blackish  log  lying  near  the  hickory,  and  with  its 
end  towards  ust" 

"Ido— Whatof  itt"     :;«     ;:^   -'^■-:  ;;:tt  •";;•..■, •I!-;'*17<I  IjJKJr,!  •.:.:..a  sst.;;).;  , 


Ti?K.     FAr,l.     OF    CaiCAGO. 


./" 


ow, 
the 
fire 
tree 
on 
ery 
see 
nly 


•» 


"  Well,  don't  you  see  souietltiag  crouching  like  between  the  log  and  the 

^ee — something  close  up  to  both.    Seel  it  moves  now  a  little."        .  .^  .,_;.,,  i 

Corporal  Nixon  strained  his  gaze  in  the  direction  indicated,  but  waa 

obliged  to  admit  that,  altliough  he  distinctly  enough  saw  the  log  and  the 

tree,  he  could  not  diKOern  any  between  thing  theui. 

.  *^Now,  do  you  see  it?"  again  eagerly  inquired  Weston,  as,  at  that  moment, 
the  same  animal  was  seen  to  turn  itself  within  the  very  limited  space  which 
had  been  indicated. 

"  Yes,  I  see  it  now,"  replied  the  Virginian,  "  but  it's  as  likely  to  be  a  hog 
as  a  man,  for  anything  1  can  make  of  that  shape;  a  hog  that  has  been  filling 
his  skin  with  hickory  nuts,  and  is  but  now  waking  out  of  his  sleep.  Still,  as 
the  Injins  were  there  just  now,  it  may  be  that  if  they're  gone,  they've  left  a 
spy  behind  them.  We'll  t-oou  know  how  matters  stand,  for  it  won't  do  to 
remain  here  all  nighr.  Oass,"  addressing  the  man  in  the  boat  who  was 
seated  low  in  the  stern,  only  occasionally  taking  a  sly  peep,  and  immedi- 
ately withdrawing  his  head,  '■'■  place  your  cap  on  the  rudder,  and  lie  flat  in 
the  bottom.  If  they  are  there,  and, mean  to  fire  at  all,  they  will  try  their 
hands  at  that.  " 

Tf'^'I  hope  they  are  good  marksmen,  corporal,"  replied  the  man,  as  raising 
his  right  arm,  he  removed  his  forage  cap  and  placed  it  so  that  the  upper 
half  only  could  be  seen.  '^  I've  no  great  fancy  for  those  rifle  bullets,  and 
give  them  a  wide  berth  when  I  can." 

"  Now  are  you  convinced  ?"  asked  Weston,  addressing  the  corporal,  as 
both  distinctly  saw  the  object  upon  which  their  attention  had  been  anxiously 
fixed,  raise  his  head  and  shoulders,  while  he  deliberately  rested  his  rifle 
•gainst  the  log  on  his  right. 

"  Olose  down,  Oass — don't  move,"  enjoined  the  Virginian ;  "  the  bait  has 
taken,  and  we  shall  have  a  shot  presently."  .,,, ,-.  ,^f,  -j^  , ;..  ,,f 

Two  almost  imperceptible  jets  of  spiral  smoke,  and  crack,  crack,  went 
two  rifles,  while  simultaneously  with  the  report,  fell  back  into  the  boat,  the 
perforated  forage  cap.  Both  balls  bad  passed  through  it,  and  lodged  in  the 
heart  of  the  tree  to  which  the  skiff  was  moored,  and  behind  which  Jaokaon 
and  Philips  had  taken  their  stand. 

Evidently  believing  that  they  had  killed  a  man,  the  whole  of  the  band* 
hitherto  concealed  behind  logs  and  trees,  now  rose  to  their  feet,  and  uttered 
a  fierce  and  triumphant  yell. 

'■'■  Devilish  good  firin',  that,"  remarked  Green,  whose  face  had  been  touched 
by  a  splinter  of  bark  torn  from  the  tree  by  one  of  the  balla. 

"  Don't  nncover  yourselves,  my  lads,"  hastily  commanded  the  corporal ; 
"  all  the  fellows  want  now  is  to  see  us  exposed,  that  they  may  have  a  crack 

"  We've  dried  the  muskets  after  a  fashion,"  said  Collins,  as  he  no^ 
approached  Jackson  and  Philips.  "  Give  us  a  cartridge,  and  let's  see  if  we 
can't  match  the  varmint  at  that  sort  of  work."  Then,  having  loaded,  he, 
without  asking  the  corporal's  permission,  leaued  his  musket  against  the  tree, 
and  t^ing  a  steady  aim  at  Uie  man  who  had  fired  from  the  point  first  noticed 
by  Weston,  drew  the  trigger. 

The  shot  had  evidently  taken  effect,  for  two  other  Indians  were  now 


»■: 
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HARDSCRABBLE  ;     0% 


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going  to  the  assistance  of  their  comrade,  whom  they  raised  from  the  gronnd 
(where  all  had  secreted  themselves  after  the  yell),  and  hurried  to  the  rear. 

A  loud  cheer  burst  from  the  lips  of  Collins,  which  was  answered  immedi- 
ately by  the  whole  of  the  savages,  who,  from  various  contiguous  points, 
•prang  again  to  their  feet,  and  vociferating  tbe  war-whoop,  dashed  into  the 
river  nearly  up  to  their  necks,  seemingly  thirsting  to  overcome  the  only 
obstacle  which  prevented  them  from  getting  at  their  desired  victims. 

But,  at  the  very  moment,  when  several  of  them  were  holding  their  iMofl 
ftloft  with  their  right  hand,  securing  their  powder-horns  between  their  teeth, 
while  Oorporal  Nixon  issued  to  his  men  injunctions  not  to  pull  another 
trigger  until  the  savages  should  begin  to  swim,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
came  the  sullen  and  unusual  booming  of  the  cannon  from  the  Fort. 

For  a  moment,  the  men,  taking  their  eyes  off  the  sights  of  their  muakets, 
listened  attentively  for  a  repetition  of  the  shot,  but  no  second  report  reached 
their  ears.  '■■■''''  ■iu.-ft\-iir--         ,M-t..i      •.?  .  ,  ,•,)!  l^^f^^^ 

"  That,"  said  Green,  "  was  a  warnin*  for  us." 
' ' "  It  was,"  observed  the  corporal.    **  Had  the  danger  been  ^A0r«,  they  would 
have  fired  again.    Depend  upon  it,  my  lads,  there^s  more  going  on  about 
here  than  we  think.    So  don't  throw  away  your  ammunition.    Every  bullet 
you  send  must  tell  !'* 

"  Wen,  we  can  but  sell  our  soalps  as  dearly  as  possible,"  interposed  Collins, 
Trbo  had  again  loaded,  and  was  now  in  the  act  of  raising  and  supporting  his, 
musket  against  the  tree.    "  But  look— «ee  how  the  fellows  are  stealing  off  t* 

"Don't  fire,  then,  don't  fire,"  hastily  ei^oitied  the  corporal.  "If  they 
Trill  go  quietly,  let  them.  We  must  not  lose  our  time  dallying  here,  bat 
make  our  way  back  to  the  Fort.  That  gun  was  meant  to  recall  us,  as  well 
8s  to  warn  us,  and  luckily  it  has  frightened  the  Indians,  so  they  won't  care 
to  attack  us  again."  . '.irf-)    --.j  ion' n  yvfld  i  j,!  a.'i:.|i.;.} 

Meanwhile  the  band  of  Winnebagoes,  obeying,  as  it  seemed,  the  command 
of  their  leader,  whom  Oollins  swore  he  could  identify  from  his  figure,  even 
at  that  distance,  to  be  the  man  who  had  attempted  to  carry  off  the  boat, 
quitted  the  river  for  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and,  after  an  earnest  consulta- 
tion, retreated  slowly  in  the  direction  of  the  prairie,  without  clamor  Of  any 
description. 

"  Well  rid  of  them,  if  they  are  gone,"  exclaimed  the  corporal,  not  a  little 
relieved  by  their  departure.  '^  We  must  keep  a  sharp  look  out  though,  and 
see  if  they  return."  '  '-'     '  '"■'   ■  "'•:"   •■*?^'  "-^U'  rU  ' 

*'  How  many  of  them  are  there  ?"  asked  Jackson  ;  "  can  you  give  a  guess, 
Collins?" 

•'  About  a  dozen  I  should  say — indeed  I  counted  as  many  as  they  passed 
through  the  small  patch  of  clearing  made  by  Eph.  Giles's  axe."  i;  J?. 

•  "  Can  they  have  started  for  the  farm  ?"  observed  the  corporal  musingly ; 
"  if  so,  my  lads,  we  had  better  get  away  as  soon  as  possible,  for  there  they 
will  find  canoes  to  cross." 

''•''"  Why,  sure  they  can  swim  across  well  enough.    The  river  is  not  so  wide 
as  te  prevent  them  from  doing  it  on  a  pinch,"  remarked  Philips.        0 

"  Of  course  they  can,"  answered  Oollins,  "  but  not  without  having  their 
rifles  as  well  soaked  as  our  muskets  were  a  little  while  ago.    I  say,  corporal, 


THB    FALL    07    OHICAOO. 


3S 


pnod 
Jr. 

edi- 
fota, 

the 


I  understand  now  the  trick  of  tliat  cunuing  chief.  He  jumped  npon  the 
arms  purposely  to  overturn  them  into  the  river,  when  he  found  he  couldn't 
get  the  boat,  and  all  our  firelocks  over  with  him." 

"  Yes,  that  was  a  trick,"  remarked  Jackson,  "  but,  corporal,  you  havn't 
told  us  how  the  dickens  that  fellow  came  there,  instead  of  the  bear  ypo 
went  to  spear."  .■■.,•.  .      .     ^ 

"  There  is  no  time  to  talk  about  it,  seriously  rejoined'the  Virginian.  Some 
night  when  we  are  on  guard,  I  will  tell  you  what  little  I  know.  At  present 
let  us  see  to  getting  back  to  our  post.  OoUins,  you  are  the  crack  shot  of  the 
party,  are  you  loaded  ?" 

;  "I  am,  corporal,"  returned  the  man  somewhat  self-sufficiently,  "have  you 
got  another  Injin  for  me  to  sink.  If  so,  just  point  him  out,  and  if  this  good 
barrel  of  Uncle  Sam^s  don't  do  his  job  in  no  time,  I'll  give  up  all  claim  to 
having  hit  the  first  fellow." 

1 !  "  Not  just  yet,"  answered  his  superior,  "  but  hear  my  orders.  You'll  follow 
the  path  along  the  bank,  and  move  along  oarefuUy,  until  you  reach  Hey> 
wood's  stacks.  Conceal  yourself  behind  one  of  them,  until  we  come  down 
with  the  boat,  and  keep  a  sharp  lookout  on  all  that  you  see  passing  in  and 
round  the  farm.  ITow  remember,  OoUins,  not  a  shot,  unless  it  be  to  save 
your  life,  or  else  you  will  get  us  all  into  a  scrape." 

**irever  fear  me,  Oen^al  Wixon^  and  he  touched  his  cap  with  all  the 
respect  he  would  have  accorded  to  an  o£Soer  of  that  rank.  I  brought  one  of 
the  imps  down,  and  that,  I  reckon,  is  nearly  as  good  work  for  one  day,  as 
filling  the  old  boat  with  fish,  or  having  a  slap  at  them  ducks,  as  I  wanted 
this  -  orning.  But  now  I'm  ofif,  if  I  see  anything  shall  I  halloo  out,  and  let 
you  <..u.ow  there's  danger  ?" 

"  ITot  by  a  long  ohalk,"  returned  the  corporal.  "  All  I  want  yon  to  do  Is  t6 
keep  your  tongue  in  your  head  and  your  eyes  open.  If  you  see  any- 
thing  to  alarm  yon,  come  back  quietly  and  let  us  know.  We  shall  be  mov- 
'ing  down  close  to  the  bank  of  the  river ;  and  now  start." 

Collins  threw  his  musket  to  the  trail,  and  advanced  cautiously,  though 
fearlessly,  along  the  scarcely  perceptible  pathway — interrupted- at  every  third 
or  fourth  step  by  creeping  vines  that  protruded  from  the  earth,  and  rendered 
it  necessary^  in  order  to  prevent  his  tripping,  that  he  should  raise  his  ftet 
somewhat  in  the  manner  of  a  horse  with  the  string-halt. 

He  had  not  proceeded  half  a  mile,  when,  at  an  angle  of  the  ill-defined 
path,  formed  by  a  point  where  the  river  was  the  narrowest,  he  was  startled 
at  the  sight  of  a  human  body  lying  across  his  course,  evidently  on  its  faoe, 
though  the  head  was  concealed  from  view  by  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree  that 
bordered  upon  the  road.  His  first  impulse  was  to  turn  back  and  acquaint 
the  corporal  with  what  he  had  discovered ;  but  a  few  minutes  of  reflection 
satisfying  him  of  the  ridicule  he  should  incur  in  reporting,  without  being  able 
to  state  with  accuracy  on  what,  he  boldly  advanced.  On  approaching  it,  he 
found  that  the  body  was  lifeless,  while  from  the  red  and  scalpless  head,  pre- 
viouslv  hidden  from  his  view,  were  exuding  gouts  of  thick  blood  that  trickled 
slowly  over  the  pale  features  of  a  youth  of  tender  age,  the  expression  of 
which  had  been  worked  up  into  an  intensity  of  terror,  and  there  remained. 
At  a  few  pdbels  from  the  head,  and  close  upon  the  edge  of  the  bank,  lay  a 


♦" .  ■-is 


m 


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f- 


u 


HARDSCRABBLB  ;     OR, 


■»» 


dressed  bear  skiu  whicb  liad  evidently  been  saturated  with  water,  bat  was 
now  fast  drying  in  the  air  and  what  little  sunlight  was  occasionally  thrown 
cpou  it,  through  the  dense  branches  of  the  forest. 

There  are  ■  situations  in  whicij  the  mind  is  moved  to  do  that  from 
which  in  cooler  uioments  it  would  shrink  with  disgust.  It  chanced  that 
Ctollins  had  retained  the  scalp  su  singularly  fonnd  at  the  bottom  of  the  river, 
by  Oorporal  Nixon,  and  this  circumstance  at  once  determined  him. 

Instead  of  hastening  by  an  object  so  appalling,  Oollina  rested  his  moaket 
againtt  a  tree,  and  taking  the  scalp  from  between  the  ramrod  and  the  stock, 
where  he  had  introduced  it,  knelt  by  the  body,  and  spreading  out  the  huraid 
skin  to  its  fullest  extent,  applied  it  to  the  bleeding  excavation.  As  he  had 
suspected,  they  corresponded  exactly,  making  all  due  allowance  for  the  time 
they  had  been  separated,  and  he  had  no  longer  a  doubt  that  the  mutilated  boy 
was  Mr.  Hey  wood's  help,  Wilton.  A  much  more  important  discovery  than 
this,  however,  resulted  from  his  vain  endeavor  to  recognise  the  boy  from 
his  features,  they  were  so  contracted  by  terror,  as  has  already  been  said,  and 
so  covered  with  blood  as  to  be  undistinguishable.  But  on  turning  him  upon 
bis  back,  and  passing  his  hands  over  his  face,  Collins  was  surprised  to  find 
that  there  was  not  that  icy  chill  which  he  had  expected,  but  on  the  contrary 
the  faint  warmth  that  indicates  suspended,  animation ;  and  deeper  yet  was 
the  gratification  of  the  rude  soldier,  when,  on  opening  the  shirt  and  placing 
his  hand  on  the  heart  of  the  boy,  he  felt  an  occasional  spasmodic  pulsation, 
denoting  that  life  was  not  utterlf  extinct,         ,':'",'[  '  '""  .'■ '     '  "^  "''     '  ' 

With  an  eagerness  to  preserve  life,  strongly  in  Contrast  with  his  receiit 
exaltation  in  destroying  it,  his  anxiety  for  the  recovery  of  the  boy  was 
almost  paternal.  Fortunately  the  latter  part  of  the  day  had  been  free  from 
the  chilliness  of  the  morning,  so  that,  although  the  naked  skull  must  have 
been  some  hours  exposed,  the  comparatively  bland  state  of  the  atmosphere 
gave  fair  earnest  that  the  brain  itself,  even  if  affected,  had  not  sustained  a 
mortal  iigury.  Spreading  wide  the  scalp  in  his  open  palm,  Oollins  now 
breathed  heavily  upon  it,  until  it  attained  what  he  conceived  to  be  the 
necessary  warmth,  when  gently  applying  it  to  the  denuded  orown,  to  which 
he  fitted  it  as  well  as  he  could,  he  passed  his  handkerchief,  which  he  had 
removed  from  his  throat,  over  it,  and  under  the  chin  of  the  boy  in  such  a 
numner  as  to  prevent  the  chill  of  the  approaching  night  from  affecting  the 
injured  part.  This  done,  he  poured  through  his  closed  lips  a  few  drops  of 
wUsky  from  the  canteen,  and  then  raising  him  gently  on  his  left  shoulder, 
he  rose  from  his  stooping  posture,  and  seizing  in  his  right  hand  his  mnsket, 
-which  he  continued  at  the  trail,  pursued  his  ronte  to  the  haystacks  as 
directed,  f"''  "."."■■"' '    '''.'   •;'"•<"•''';_■■''-••     •••-'i 'v;m   ■>.„„  .>-)-:t„nuii 

In  the  meantime.  Corporal  Kixon,  with  the  remainder  of  the  fishing  party, 
was  slowly  descending  the  river,  hugging  the  eastern  shore  as  closely  as  possi- 
ble, in  order  that,  if  attacked  s  idenly,  they  might,  ^n  the  instant,  leap 
into  the  river,  and  covering  themselves  by  the  boat,  %ht  their  snemies  at 
leas  disadvantage.  The  corporal  himself  and  Weston  kept  a  vigilant  look 
out,  the  one  at  the  bow,  the  other  at  the  stern,  while  the  four  remaining 
aaen,  Jackson,  Philips,  Qreen,  and  Cass  pulled  so  noiselessly  that  the  dip  of 
their  oars,  and  their  unavoidable  jar  in  the  row-looks,  could  not  be  heard  tA 


THE     FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


35 


A  distanoe  of  more  th&n  ten  yards.  At  this  sluv^  rate  much  time  waa  neoes- 
Mrily  consumed,  so  that  it  was  quite  dark  wtien  they  reached  the  traverse 
opposite  the  farm,  where  Ephraim  Giles  bad  crossed  some  hoars  before,  and 
whither  Collins  had  been  dispatched  to  make  observations. 

The  patience  of  the  latter  had  been  much  tried,  for  it  seemed  an  age  had 
elapsed  before  his  comrades  made  their  appearance.  The  sun  was  Just  set- 
ting as  he  reached  the  innermost  haystack,  and  his  anxiety  for  bis  charge 
had  become  intense.  Seeing  the  canoe  drawn  up  on  the  beach,  and  the  pad- 
dies  iu  it,  he  had  a  strong  inclination  to  cross  and  procure  some  efScient 
relief  for  the  insensible  boy,  but  the  silence  that  reigned  around  the  dwell- 
ing awed  him,  and  he  checked  the  natural  impulse.  Not  a  soul  was  to  be 
seen,  not  a  voice  to  be  heard,  not  even  the  barking  of  Loup  Garou,  the 
bleating  of  a  sheep,-  or  the  lowing  of  an  ox.  What  could  this  mean  ?  and 
was  the  fate  of  the  boy  connected  with  that  of  the  other  inmates  of  the  farm  ? 
If  so,  where  were  they  ? 

Another  consideration  ioduoed  OoUins  to  suppress  his  first  impulse,  and 
that  was  the  apprehension  that  his  strange  charge  would  be  detained  by  Mr. 
Heywood,  when  his  only  chance  of  recovery  lay  in  the  speedy  examination, 
and  dressing  his  injuries  by  the  surgeon  of  the  garrison.  There  was  no  alter- 
native then,  but  to  wait  patiently  for  the  arrival  of  the  boat  into  which  the 
boy  could  be  placed,  and  so  conveyed  to  the  fort.  Meanwhile,  as  the  night  tiv 
was  becoming  chill,  and  a  slight  fog  rising  from  the  water,'  the  considerate 
soldier  did  all  he  could  to  shield  his  proteg6  from  their  pernioions  eflTeot. 
Strewing  on  the  ground  a  few  armfuls  of  hay,  taken  from  the  nearest  of  the 
stacksi  around  which  the  hungry  cattle  now  gathered,  eager  for  their  food, 
he  extended  on  it  the  yet  inanimate  form  of  the  youth,  embracing  the  body 
in  order  to  impart  to  it  the  benefit  of  animal  hea^  and  in  this  position, 
his  head  being  slightly  raised,  eagerly  endeavored  to  discern  through  the 
darkness  not  only  what  might  be  seen  on  the  opposite  shore,  bat  the 
^  proaoh  of  the  party  in  the  boat. 

The  sun  had  how  been  down  some  time,  and  so  dark  was  it  that,  in  that 
narrow  space,  obsonred  l)y  the  blendmg  shadows  of  the  tall  forests  on  either 
shore,  it  was  difficult,  at  five  yards  distance,  to  make  out  anything  on  the 
water,  unaccompanied  by  light  or  sound.  This  silence  was  anything  bat 
agreeable  to  OoUins,  vrhose  imagination,  excited  by  the  later  occurrences  of 
the  day,  was  filled  with  strange  misgivings,  as  ho  looked  in  vain  for  the  ous- 
tomary  lights  in  the  farm-house.  The  fishing  party  had  never  been  oat  so 
late,  and  yet,  at  the  first  fall  of  darkness,  they  had  been  accustomed  to  see 
the  place  exhibiting  at  least  one  light;  and  the  absence  of  this  now  caused 
Collins  heartily  to  wish  himself  in  the  boat,  and  safely  moored  under  cover 
of  the  fort.  Not  that  the  soldier  was  influenced  by  the  apprehension  of 
personal  danger,  bat  because  the  deep  gloom,  the  solitude  and  silence,  of  the 
scene,  coupled  with  his  newly-awakened  interest  in  the  almost  corpse  that 
lay  in  close  contact  with  his  person,  impressed  him  with  a  sort  of  supersti- 
tions feeling,  not  at  all  lessened  by  the  knowledge  that  his  only  companion, 
at  that  moment,  belonged  rather  to  the  grave  than  to  the  upper  earth. 

At  length  his  anxiety  wfts  relieved.  The  sound  of  the  oars,  oantionsly 
pnlledf  faintly  met  his  ear,  and  then  the  boat  could  be  indistinotlj  seen 


^'A* 


^IM 


& 


3 


'?' 


Mf 


HARDSCRABBLB  ;     OR, 


^ 


I 


iy 


approaching  the  oanoe.  To  this  suooeeded  a  low  oall  ottered  by  the  oorporal. 
Oollins  replied  in  a  Biinilar  tone,  and  then  bearing'the  body  of  tlie  boy,  still 
enveloped  in  the  bear  akia,  l\6  in  les8  than  a  minute,  rejoined  his  party. 

The  astonishment  of  the  latter  may  be  cunceived  on  beholding  so  nftez< 
peoted  a  sight,  nor  was  their  feeling  of  awe  diminished  when  tiieir  oouirada 
had  briefly  related  wJiat  had  occurred  since  he  left  theui.      !vf  /u>h></  i/m^jdl* 

''Strange  enough,  tliii^,"  remarked  the  corporal  musingly;  '^  stranger  still, 
there's  no  Hgbt  in  the  house.  It's  neither  too  early  nor  too  laie  for  that. 
]('U  tell  you  what,  m}  ads,  if  any  thing  has  happened  we  must  know  the 
wor8lf~it  will  never  do  to  go  back  to  the  Fort,  without  being  able  to  givo 
■ome  notion  of  what  took  place  under  our  very  noses."         "  ,».  ;it  ivMVrss  ^a. 

'*  What  would  Mr.  Bonayne  say,  if  we  did  ?"  added  Jackson. 

"  Yes  I  and  what  would  that  sweet  young  lady,  Miss  Hey  wood,  think  of  us, 
if  we  returned  without  giving  some  good  news  of  her  father.  Why  she 
never  would  look  upon  us  kindly  again."  '^  f-M<.  ..Jw.io.   ■ 

"  Bight,  Philips,"  said  Weston,  '*  and  I'm  sore  I>d  rather  offend  the  captain 
himself,  any  day,  than  do  anything  to  displease  her.  Qod  grant  we  bring 
her  no  bad  news." 

"  Amen,"  said  the  oorporal,  gravely,  for  he,  like  Collins,  had  some  strong 
misgivings,  arising  naturally  from  the  utter  darkness  and  silence  that  con- 
tinned  to  prev<ail  in  and  aronnd  the  farm-honse.  "  Are  yon  all  loaded  t 
liOok  to  your  primings,  bnt  make  no  noise.  Somebody  mnst  take  charge  of 
the  beat  though.  Who  volunteers  to  remain,  while  the  rest  follow  me  to  the 
honse?"  a)i '^^»  feii'irn-iii  v. 'jt  ij  Nhijoiji -jiij  n  >  )<iiiw'5i:b' ,« 

" I  do-~-ril  remain,"  said  Oollint,  "one  of  yon  can  take  my  moskat." 

"What,  Oollins,  do  you  shirk  the  thing,"  sneered  the  man  with  the  long 
nose  and  the  peaked  ehin ;  "  have  yon  had  enough  to-day,  or  do  yon  fear 
the  ghost  of  the  fellow  yon  knocked  over  ?"  i%ih  •^.Muui  tm-Mi   .i)  ^ 

"  I  fear  neither  man  or  ghost^  as  yon  well  know,  Nutcrackers,"  warmly 
rejoined  Oollins,  "but  I  take  it,  there's  no  great  courage  in  makingafiua 
about  going  where  there's  no  enemy  to  be  fonnd.  If  there  has  been  danger 
m  that  quarter,  I  take  it,  it's  passed,  and  as  somebody  mnst  stop  in  the  boat^ 
why  not  me  as  well  as  another!"  ■   ^nij/  onj  zh  (iwamh  h>iV  st  r«»~.vi'a 

"  Jost  BO,"  add  the  corporal.  "  Oasa,  this  is  no  time  t^  run  yonr  rigs- 
Yen  see  well  enough  that  Oollins  wiibes  to  stop  behind,  on  acoonntof  the 
boy  he  hopes  to  bring  to  life.  Little  chance  of  that,  I  fep,  bat  if  he  thinks 
so,  it  would  be  unchristian  to  disappoint  him.  And  now  push  off,  bnt  make 
no  noise." 

The  order  was  obeyed.  In  a  few  minvtee  the  bow  of  the  boat  touched 
the  landing-placcj  when  all  but  Oollins,  who  was  at  the  helm,  slipped  noise« 
lessly  ashore.  The  corporal  repeated  his  instrnotiona^how  to  act  under 
emergency  and  if  separated-Hind  moved  along  the  path  leading  to  the  house 
Meanwhile  Oollins  pulled  back  into  the  stream,  and  rejiained  atationary  io 
the  centre, 

•  /Urn  r>lff   t'  fb  'yjf'ohn'flil  mil  t^;.'  f>^itiit-.:vH  Ifjj.AR'fo;}  .ytifh^/f  t'.ro'.i 
.nrir.if  'jycjca  ;..  :  ->•  luiid?  «yai^  sjii  ii3  •!'>fiji(i'!  :)v^;X€{i34  vJ/tu«,tf»i5E  ttdi  h< 
TlaffoUusi:^  r^-'-f.i^-  srfl  ''■>  J;;:rfoa  o;iT     JM^afbi  »jrw.  y^jigfir-s  bM  iHi^rM  .iA 
i-.'jQ'-i  ylmuhifHi:  st/  fib.  r>  J;!.>.rf  odi  i^idi  Ui'.^,^f.m  httiiam  '{linl»\  .Mlmi 


«ii;)  I(fh,ij,v»  I 
9»n  (iro'i'l  .f' 


fHiC    FALL    OK    OHIOAOO. 


OIIAPTER   V. 


?'l 


81 


0(1  r 


ifjo 


Thx  farm-house  was,  as  we  have  said,  uf  very  rudti  construction — sucli  a 
one  as  could  only  spring  up  in  so  remote  a  region,  and  among  bo  sparse  a 
population.  With  the  exoeptioii  of  the  roof,  the  frame-work  of  wiiioh  bad 
been  covered  with  raw  bufFalo  Iiides,  it  wat.  lilt  wholly  of  rough  logs, 
netohed  at  the  ends  in  a  sort  of  dove-tail  fusliion,  and  when  not  lying  closely, 
filled  in  with  chunks  uf  wood,  over  which  a  rude  plaster  uf  mud  hud  beea 
thrown,  so  that  the  whole  was  rendered  almost  impervious  to  water,  whU« 
it  ran  little  risk  from  the  agency  of  fire.  It  had  two  rooms  on  the  ground* 
.floor — one  smaller  than  the  other,  used  as  a  dormitory,  and  containing  all  tba 
olotbes  or  *^  traps,"  as  they  designated  them,  of  the  household.  The  other 
served  as  eating-room,  parlor,  and  kitchen,  and  extended  over,  at  least,  three- 
fourths  of  tlie  area.  It  was  provided  with  two  doors — one  facing  the  river 
'and  close  to  the  partition  which  divided  the  rooms — the  other  occupying  a 
remoter  position  tu  the  rear.  The  windows  of  this  apartment  were  two  ia 
'  number,  and,  equi-'distatit  from  the  doors,  were  considerably  elevated  abova 
the  floor.  Tliese  apertures  had  been  formed  by  simply  sawing  a  few  of  tha 
logs,  so  as  to  complete  squares,  into  which  were  fitted  rude  sashes,  each  con* 
taining  four  small  panes  of  a  greenish,  and'  by  nu  means,  transparent  glass, 
and  connected  by  btrong  leatliern  hinges.  In  winter  the  necessary  warmth 
was  afforded,  by  shutters  put  up  and  barred  from  within.  The  southern 
gable  or  dormitory,  was  provided  in  the  centre  with  one  window  of  similar 
■ize  and  construction.  .The  upper  floor,  a  sort  of  granary  and  depot  for  the 
provisions  of  the  family,  was  ascended  by  means  of  a  ladder,  and- through 
a  square  aperture  just  large  enough  to  admit  witli  ease  the  body  of  a  man. 

There  was,  in  rear  of  the  house,  a  rather  extensive  corn-field,  and  beyond 
the  northern  gable,  where  the  chimney  stood,  an  orchard  yet  in  its  infancy, 
^ut  promising  future  abundance,  while  at  tlie  opposite,  or  south  end  of  the 
building,  a  large  but  very  highly  cultivated  garden,  was  now  undergoing  the 
customary  spring  process  of  digging  and  manuring,  and  indeed  on  that  very 
morning,  llr.  Hey  wood  had  been  busily  engaged  in  this  occupation  with  the 
boy  Wilton,  his  men  being  employed,  the  one  in  field  labor,  the  other  as  we 
have  seen,  in  chopping  wood. 

In  the  rear  of  the  garden,  and  opposite  to  the  corn-field,  from  which  it 
was  separated  by  a  road  leading  to  tiie  wood,  was  a  tolerably  sized  bam, 
likewise  constructed  of  rude  logs,  not,  however,  filled  in.  The  lower  part 
of  this  was  used  as  a  stable ;  the  upper  or  loft,  roofed  with  bark,  contained 
the  preceding  year's  unhusked  crop  from  the  corn-field,  while  contiguous  to 
it,  and  to  the  roar,  was  another  oblong  square  building,  constructed  in  the 
same  manner,  but  without  loft.  This,  partitioned  and  covered  simply  with 
.unhewn  logs,  served  not  only  as  a  pen  for  sheep  and  pigs,  but  as  a  roosting- 
place  for  the  featliered  portion  of  the  stock. 

The  orchard  on  the  one  side,  and  the  garden  on  the  other,  extended  to  the 
bank  of  tiie  river — a  zig-zag,  or  snake-fenoe  separating  them  from  the  road, 


iiii 


,f"  ;( 


hiiu 


'  in  ,t;he  centre  of  which,  and  at  about  ten  feet  firom  the  door  of  the  dwelling. 


•T-- 


U^i.i« 


»n 


m 


til 


n 


8S 


H  W/'V  li.vi;i!j.K  I    ()i5, 


.'if 


lifH 


•^ 

I 


4. 

•I'  ;' 


ftV( 


''Ad' 

iii' 

'■■■f!; 
exii 

C'fT    ■ 

i!  t! 

(f-ti 


o1 
©iiJ 


-^a: 


.1.*, 


rose  a  mtyeHtic  •.vulniit  uco  ihen  in  early  bloflxoiii.  Immediately  beyond  this 
tree,  was  a  low  enohwnrt^  which  interseeted  the  road,  passing  across  from  tho 
kitcben-ga.  den  to  the  orohard,  and  tbriuing  the  only  court  or  yard  upon  the 
premises.  , 

when  Corporal  Nixon,  with  his  little  party,  bad  oanttoufly  aavanoed  some 
few  paces  towards  the  liouse,  he  caused  them  to  separate,  Cass  and  Jackson 
leaping  the  fence  which  bounded  the  orchard,  and  Green  and  Philips  that 
of  the  garden,  while  he  hiin»«eU',  with  Weston,  pursued  the  pathway  in  front. 
The  better  to  be  prepared  for  any  sudden  attack,  bayonets  had  been  quietly 
fixed,  and  tho  firelocks  at  (he  full  cook,  carried  at  the  trail — this  latter  pre- 
caution after  the  detached  files  had  crossed  the  fences. 

The  night,  as  has  already  been  said,  was  very  dark,  and  each  succeeding 
minute  seemed  to  increase  the  obscurity,  so  that  it  was  rather  from  their 
familiarity  with  the  ground,  than  from  any  clear  indication  of  correctness 
of  course,  that  the  little  banu  were  enabled  to  preserve  their  necessary 
opity.  At  length  the  tall  shadowii  of  the  walnut  tree  came  suddenly  upon 
tlie  sight  of  the  corporal,  but  so  completely  absorbing  Was  the  darkness  in  the 
heavier  gloom,  that,  without  being  aware  of  its  proximity,  he  stumbled 
against  the  low  and  slight  enclosui'e,  which,  yielding  to  the  impetus  of  his 
niotion,  feeble  even  as  that  was,  caused  him  to  fall  forward  on  his  face,  his 
mnsket  dropping  from  his  grasp,  without^  however,  gciiig  off.     .  ^    ;  ;  . 

A  )ow  growl  from  a  dog  succeeded,  and  before  the  Virginian  contd  even 
make  the  attempt  to  rise,  the  animal  ht^d  sprang  upon  and  fastened  his  teeth 
into  his  shoulder,  shaking  him  so  violently,  thatj  it  was  nob^until  Westpn,  who 
had  BOW  crossed  the  enclosure,  came  up  to  his  assistance,  guiaed  by  the 
aonnd  of  the  struggle,  that  the  dog  could  be  made  t^  r^linqnish  his  hold. 

"  Loup  Garou — lioup  Garou,  old  fellow,  what's  the  matt**  with  you,"  said 
the  latter  coaxingly,  as  he  caressed  the  neck  cf  the  dog,  wnioh  he  had  identi- 
fied, and  now  sojaght  to  appease.  ,        '     ,'    '  \  , 

Evidently  recognising  a  friend  in  the  ntterer,  of  his  name,  the  animal 
turned  suddenly  around,  licked  the  hand  of  Weston,  and  then  sent  forth  a 
long  and  piteous  howl. 

'^  Mercy,  what  is  thatj"  suddenly  exclaimed  the  corporal,  who  having 
regained  his  legs  and  musket,  had  moved  on  a  pace  or  two.      /7:  rr  ~ 

*'  Where!  what?"  asked  Weston,  coming  up  to  his  side. 
'In  the  darkness  before  them,  there  was  a  deeper  darkness  that  bore  the 
indistinct  appearance  of  a  human  ^'orm,  jiying  in  a  stooping  posture  close  to 
the  trunk  of  the' tree.     >      ..,    i  ..  ,,   ^^  •    .    ...    .  •  '     ,'"''.     "V. 

A  vague  presentiment  of  the  truth  flashed  upon  the  mind  of  the  Yi'rginian, 
who  enjoining  silence  on  his  companion,  advanced  close  to  the  object,  and 
laid  his  hand  upon  it.  There  could  be  no  longer  a  doubt.  The  blanket  ooat^ 
and  woollen  sash,  which  he  first  touched,  and  then  the  shoe  pack,  told  him  in 
VBrnistakable  language  that  it  was  Le  Noir,  the  Canadian  owner  of  the  dog. 
He  shook  him,  and  twice,  in  a  low  voice  called  him  by  name.  But  there 
-was  no  answer,  while  the  body  stiff  and  motionless,  fully  revealed  the  fate  of 
the  unfortunate  man. 

IC«anwhiIe,  Loup  Garou,  which  had  followed,  squatted  himself  at  the  head, 
which  was  hanging  over  the  front  of  what  they  knew,  from  its  handles  and 


THK 


KALU 


O/ 


3f^ 


' 


the  peculiar  odor,  exhaling  from  it,  lo  ^ 

And  then  ooinmenoed  lioking — moaning  nt 

ken  wliine. 

"What  can  tlie  dog  mean  by  that?"  whif  >«red  Wosf 
'*  Don't  yon  hear  him  lioking  his  dead  uih   i-r'a  face,  h 


■1i^l-*'Wrow  filled  with  nmnure, 
e  sain  .  time  in  a  low  and  bro> 


d  telHnjf ' 


m  his  own  way,"  answered  the  corporal  as,  in  order  to    iSBurc 


tg  aorrow 
me\{,  he 
done  90, 

ily  wip«4 


:t.'>1 


VI 


f)-i{,  dropped  his  hand  tu  the  inouth  of  the  dog;  but  no  sooner  had 
to  .J  than  he  drew  it  suddenly  back  with  a  shudder  of  disgust  and  \ 
f»,;,i'  it»  clammy  with  the  blood  that  yet  trickled  from  th«  »oalpc<i     *-at?  of  th« 

murdered  man. 
hot  A  low  whistle  wan  here  given  on  the  left,  and  a  few  yards  above,  that 
iMiv  jOtartled  the  Virginian,  for  it  was  the  signal  agreed  upon  if  anything  snspi- 
,b;,i[  dons,  should  be  noticed  by  the  other  parties.  He  promptly  answered  it  in 
[, ,  .;,*  different  call,  aud  in  another  minute  Oreen  and  Philips  had  joined  hi^n. 
I,  ,  ,  >' What  have  you  seen  I"  he  inquired,  not  regarding  the  exclamation  of 
«L,,li  sprprise  of  the  new  comers,  at  the  unexpected  sight  before  them. 

*'  We've  seen  nothin'  its  so  dark,"  answered  b-reen,  '■''  but  unless  the  cattle 
n'r;il  h«ve  got  into,  the  garden,  there's  somethin'  else  raovin'  there.  Philips  and  I 
P,  i^.J^oed  after  we  heard  the  dog  howl  the  first  time,  for  we  could  hear  as  If 
.y,.,.Sfjpethin*  like  steps  vkrere  stopped  suddenly  when  he  stopped,  then  when  be 
moaned  the  second  time  we  listened  again,  and  thought  the  same  thing." 
,t  ^^  They  ooaldnH  be  cattle,"  added  Philips,  **  for  the  cattle  are  all  kept  ou  the 
1  ,,  o^or  eide." 
;  .y,.^..  ^^Onl^  the  ypun^  stock,  and  them  as  ain't  used  About  the  farm,"  remarked 
Joft  oF.wton.' 

.Ti;ift  *n^^\^  hat  what  kind  of  steps  were  they  f"  eagerly  questioned  the  corporal, 
;,^.,l,  wh,9sa  iniagipatlon  wfis  filled  not  more  with  the  danger  that  seemed  to  be 
„i  ./near  them,  than  with  the  censure  of  himself  he  feared  he  should  incur, 
I,,,,,'  pn  his  return  to  the  fort,  for  having  subjected  the  party  to  risk.    "Surely 

yon  can  tell  between  the  tread  of  cattle  and  the  steps  of  men."   '''"^'  - 
(It  '/It  ■ -r^^^^P^^^^7  t^ey  weren't  the  steps  of  cattle;  they  were  too  light  fer 
I  .^.i,  ^lat,  , Though  they  conldn't'help  crushin'  the  dry  sticks  aud  rubbish  they 

•onldn't  help  seein'  lyin'  in  the  way.    Don^t  yon  think  so  Philips  ?" 
,  '    M    "I  dJLjd,  corporal,  and, so  sure  did  I ^uess  them  to  be  no  cattle  that  it  waa 
-jm©  that, whistled."'    I^..^- '^^-'il/ '.'.'' V,' /''''   ^^ '•-■•  —  *•=  ■-'-^^ 
I, ,  "Then  there's  uo  use  iu  going  ifarther,'^  remarked  the  Virglniaa  gravely. 
"Even  if  we  get  to  the  house,  we  oau't  see  anything  in  it  for  the  darkness, 
c,     ,^pd  thia  poor  (ellow  shows  plain  ^nongh  that  it's  to  use  looking  out  to  save 
,1,;,  ,3C?r,Heyw0od  or  Ephraim  Giles.    Ooitae,  my  la4s,  we  must  get  babk  to  the 
/!;,,  boat,  and  down  stream  as  q^ick  and  as  quiet  as  we  can."        „        ,  '. 
,..,.,]      Qiving  his  own  low  whistle  of  recall,  he  was  answered  froni  the  opposite 
ly^il\  direction,  and  in  a  few  minutes  Oass  and  Jackson  made  their  appearance. 
,:    tn     These  latter  were  briefiy  questioned  whether  they  bad  seen  anything,  and 
great  was  the  anxiety  of  all  when  it  was  known  that  iihey  had  also  heard  in 
7,,,  ;itheoroha,rd  but  ip  a  fainter  manner,  what  had  attracted  the  attention  of 
vriixrl^reen  and  Philips  in  the  garden.  ,       ^ 

"  Why  didn't  you  give  the  signal  then,  as  directed!"  '      "'  "  "'  ^'"''  " 
r'v.i  nur:\*^*^'^i']  ai^swer^d  Oa»fS  ^^p  weren't  qmteaare  about  i^  and  feared 
9,1 1  i,1ibe  whistle  might  tell  the  Injins,  if  any  were  near,  our  whereabbnts." 


cifl 


^• 


^.. 


40 


HARD8CRABBLK  ;     OR, 


!■: 

'.:*■ 
V, 

'1 
'i 


i 


/ 


If  .: 
lu 


■b 


Scare*  had  thifi  explaaution  been  given,  when  the  attention  of  all  wm 
arreBted  by  a  lond  dear  8hout  of  the  oorporaU'  name,  evidently  uttered  bj 
Collins. 

"Into  the  houHtt — into  the  house,**  ezolaimed  the  same  voice.  **Th« 
Injina  are  creeping  up  to  you." 

As  these  words  came  ringing  upon  tlie  bllonoe  of  the  niglit,  the  dull  otepa 
In  rapid  advance  through  tlio  two  enclosures  were  now  distinctly  heard, 
while  the  flash  of  a  gun  fired  in  their  rear,  li^lited  up  the  forms  of  tliree  or 
four  savages,  gliding  up  to  them  by  the  pathway  by  wliich  the  corporal  had 
come.  "  ' "' 

The  danger  was  imminent,  the  necessity  for  si'curing  tiie  important  posi- 
tion  imperative,  and  without  waiting  for  the  order  of  their  superior,  or  even 
ottering  a  word,  the  whole  of  the  party,  acting  npon  the  caution  of  OoUins, 
Aade  a  rush  towards  the  front  entrance  of  the  house,  which  they  gained 
at  the  very  moment  when  the  rattling  of  the  snake-fences,  and  the  total 
overthrow  of  the  slight  enclosure,  annoanoed  that  their  enemies  were  thus 
near  in  pursuit. 

Fortnuately  the  door  was  wide  open,  so  that  they  had  all  passed  in,  when 
the  Indians  on  either  flank,  aa  though  by  previous  arrangement,  ponred  in 
their  oross  fire,  towards  that  common  centre,  without,  however,  striking  any- 
thing but  the  logs. 

Terrific  and  continuous  yells'  snoceeded,  and  well  was  it  that,  with  cool 

I  J.  promptitude,  the  corporal  liad  sought,  and  found  behind  the  door,  whiire  ho 

knew  they  were  usnally  kept,  the  strong  bars,  three  in  nnmber,  thdt  seonred 

i'^..^  the  heavy  panels,  for  as  many  of  the  Indians  as  conid  find  room  to  act 

o<)  c  together,  now  applied  their  shonlders  to  the  fk'ame  with  snoh  violence,  that 

.j^j     but  for  those  timely  safeguards,  it  mast  have  yielded.    Daring  more  than 

tUjii  ^^®  minutes  they  peraevered  in  their  efforts,  the  men  waiting  anzionsly  in 

attitude  of  preparation  for  the  result,  when  atl  at  once  they  ceased,  and 

,  their  footsteps  were  heard  caatiouely  retiring. 

^*  Quick,  look  to  the  back-door,  two  of  yon,"  commanded  the  corporal  in 
an  eager,  but  low  tone,  "  they  are  going  ronnd;  there,  if  that  is  not  isecared 
wearelost."  , ,  '         ;'■::..  ':  •'    ^'   m'^      ..^....k. 

Green  and  Philips  sprang  forward  towards  tn'e  point  !iidIoAtea,'t)at  the 
latter  in  his  excitement  stumbled  heavily  against  something,  and  fell  at  his 
length  npon  the  floor,  exclaiming:  ^^Tve  fallen  over  a  dead  man,  and  am 
half  drowned  in  his  blood."  .    ;'-'■,'-•  ^iw  .,    .^  uw  -uuu.u" 

His  companion  who  had 'escaped  ihts  obstrnotidn,  had  scarcieiy '  tittie  to 
aaanre  the  corporal  that  the  back  door  was  already  barred,  a  fact  Which 
^ . ;  ^  he  had  discovered  by  dint  of  feeling,  when  the  latch  was  first  heard  gently 
tncd,  then  the  door  violently  assaulted.  Another  load  and  angry  ySell  from 
■  '  the  Indians  annoanoed  their  disappointment,  then  several  shots  were  fired 
'  j  c .,  at  the  door,  and  two  or  three  Wis  ooiild  be  heard  dropping  and  rolling  npon 
n,^      the  floor,  aft^er  having  passed  through  the  heavy  planks. 

"  Safe  enough  now  for  a  while,  my  ladd,"  said  the  corporal'  exultingly, 
"  and  we  can  have,  a  little  breathing  time.  Who^s  got  the  means  of  striking 
f  light,  that  we  may  see  where  we  are,  and  what  we're  about  t*' 

**I  have,*'  answered  Green,  aa  taking  a  flint,  steel,  and  tinder  from  his 
pocket,  he,  with  a  oonple  of  strokes,  ignited  the  latter,  and  approached  the 


•(♦J 


V'» 


ft 


boil'.' 


TUK     I  AI.L    UF     COICAaO. 


i\ 


hearth,  which  the  fuiut  light  from  ihe  burning  "  pnnk  "  enabled  him  to  roAob. 
The  fire  had  long  since  gone  oat,  bat  the  oridp  and  blackened  embers,  looo 
grew  ander  the  caie  of  the  soldier  into  light  euffiol^ut  to  render  objecta  in 
the  apartment  gniduully  more  and  more  distinguishable. 

While  tids  procoHtt  was  going  on,  the  rest,  leaning  on  their  mtisketa,  wert 

;  aozioaBly  grouped  around  the  apot  where  PhlHpH  liad  fallen.    At  first,  only 

tlje  outline  of  a  man  of  large  statnre  and  proportions  oould  be  seen  lying  in  a 

cramped  position,  as  if  produced  by  some  strung  convuleire  agony,  and  then 

"when  the  fir*  began  to  kindle  and  crackle,  the  dress  oould  be  distinguiahed, 

and  then  as  the  light  grew  brighter,  the  scolpless  head,  and  then  the  marked 

and  distorted  features  of  the  murdered  master  of  the  house,  who  lay  in  »• 

pool  of  blood  that  slowly  trickled  along  the  crevices  of  the  floor.    His  hand* 

were  firmly  clenched  upon  the  barrel  of  a  rifle  which  had  been  broken  off  at 

the  stookf  tliat  now  lay  a  few  yards  beyond,  while  tlie  features,  sternly  Mt 

in  death,  bore  a  mingled  expression  of  defiance  and  resolution.    A  cnt,  as 

Arom  a  tomahawk  had  laid  open  his  left  temple,  while  on  several  parts  of 

his  body  could  be  seen  thick  encrustations  of  blood  that  had  exuded  through 

the  rent  clothing,  marking  the  seat  of  several  stabs  and  gunshot  wonnds. 

It  was  evident  that  Mr.  Heywood  bad  not  lost  his  life  withont  a  desperate 

straggle,  for  iudependantly  of  the  testimony  afforded  by  his  broken  rtfle, 

which  he  seemed  to  have  used  with  fleroe  determination,  the  heavy  tablt 

had  been  overthrown,  and  the  few  article^  of  necessary  fVirnituro  in  the 

room  evidently  displaced. 

*'  What  a  tale,  this,  to  carry  back,"  gravely  remarked  Wetston.  "  I  wouldn't 
take  the  corporal's  stripes  to*morrow,  and  be  the  first  man  to  tell  Miss  Hey* 
wood  of  it" 

"  Supposing  we  get  back  at  all,*'  Mid  Oass.  '*  Though  we're  safe  enongh 
for  the  present,  I've  no  notion  these  devils  will  let  us  off  eo  soon." 

"  There's  no  great  danger  now,"  interrupted  the  corporal.  **  I  defy  them, 
if  they're  not  stronger  than  we  saw  them  this  morning,  to  get  into  the  house, 
witli  six  good  firelocks  to  defend  it." 

"  Bat  they  may  set  fire  to  it,  and  burn  as  out,"  persevered  the  apprehen* 
•ive  man  with  the  hooked  nose  and  the  peaked  chin ;  ^'  I've  heard  of  thosa 
things  before."     .  „;j  o  ...  « 

"Barn  your  granny  out,  Natcrackers;  look  at  them  logs  well,  and  say  if ' , 
it  wou1d*nt  take  hell-fire  itself  to  burn  'em  through  in  a  month,  but  corporal, 
had'nt  we  better  divide  the  ammunition.    We  don't  l<now,  as  Oass  says,  what 
the  imps  are  about,  and  what  trouble  they  may  give  us  yet."  ; 

"  Bigiit,  Green,  there's  notiiing  like  being  on  the  sure  side,  and  so,  my  lads 
look  to  the  pouolies.  Weston,  tiiere's  u  candle  in  that  stone  bottle  on  the 
shelf—light  it,  and  put  it  on  the  table  as  «oon  a?  yun  have  got  that  on  ita 
legs  again."  (..*.     ..  "' 

The  examination  was  soon  made.  Each  small  cartouche  box,  expressly 
made  for  light  excursions,  contained,  with  tlie  exception  of  the  single  cart- 
ridge which  OoUins  had  tired,  the  usual  allowance  of  fifteen  rounds.  Two 
of  these  however — those  of  Green  and  Philips — tiad  been  so  saturated  by 
long  immeruon  in  the  water,  that  they  were  wholly  unserviceable.  They 
trare  therefore  emptied  and  dried,  and  the  deficiency  supplied  from  tha 


42 


HAROaCRABBl.K  ;«  OK, 


li! 


poubiies  of  their  ooinrades,  thus  leaving  about  a  dozen  charges  to  eaoh.^.^ 
man. 

"  A  small  stock  of  ammaiiition,  this,  I  gness,  to  stand  a  l<>ng  ^iege  on  aa 
empty  belly,"  drawled  forth  Oas8.  '  ■  ■  \  >■  ,.,       ", 

"Just  like  you — always  croakiii',''  sneered  Green,  "and  always  thinkin* 
of  your  belly.     Why  man,  you've  more  aiiimunitiou  there,  1  take  it,  thaa  ,, 
ever  youHl  fire  away  in  your  life."  i  j 

'*  And  if  we  haven't  enough,"  said  the  corporal,  going  to,  and  taking  duwa.r , 
and  shaking  a  powder  hOrn,  which  hang  suspended  from  the  wall,  that  had;,/ 
evidently  been  overlooked  by  the  Indian^,  "here  area  dozen  more  chargear,;> 
at  kast,  and  the  balls  of  the  cartridges  have  not,  I  take  it,  lost  their  power,, i,^ 
to  drill  a  hole  into  a  fellow  because  they've  beeii  oousiderably  well  ducked,  ),v 
Bat  hark!  what  noise'ia  that — listeill"     i>:iij''      •  ;    ,;r  ii.ii  n  ■«  -/[/iji,';  i  i/.T 

A  low,  grating  sound,  aa  of  some  heavy  body  rubbing  Against  <the  gronnd,  ,[| 
was  now  audible  at  short  intervals,  tod  seemed  to  proceed  from  the  southern  ;,} 
gable — but  not  a  voice  was  heard.'  From  the  moment  when  they  l>ad  uttered  ,-^ 
their  try  of  disappointment,  on  finding  the  back  entrance  secured,  the  Indian«.f;( 
had  preserved  the  utmost  silence.  ,ii<..-j:j'  ,j. 

Sqddenly  a  yell,  pealed  from  the  direotioh  of  the  'rivist,  caused  them  for  <j 
the  first  time  to  revert  to  the  ekpoised  position  of  the  unfortunate  Collins.    ^  , 

*'  poor  fellow,"  sftid  Green,  dashing  away  a  tear.  "  I  wish  he  was  with  - 
us.  '  Somehow  or  other,  I  feel  as  if  we  should  all  have  a  better  chance  in  « ,.[ 
fight,  were  that  lad  in  the  middle  of  it."  , 

"We  shall  never  see  him  morel"  gravely  observed  the  Virginian  ;  "  that 
shot  fired  just  after  he  warned  us,  did  his  business,  depend  iipon  it,  and  if  /:; 
that  one  didn't,  it  is  not  likely  the  blood-hounds  would  let  him  off,  aftev.yr 
robbing  them  of  their  prey:  no,  no,  poor  Collins  has  lost  his  life  in  saving  us.** 

Again  the  yell  was  repeated,  and  from  the  same  quarter.    The  corporal    ' 
sprang  to  the  ladder  which  communicated  with  the  loft,  and  having  placed 
it  tinder  the  window  on  the  fi^ont,  hastily  ascended  and  looked  out,  for  no  V 
one  h^  hitherto  thought  of  closing  an  opening,  fVom  which  no  danger  wns^  -"^ 
seemingly,  to  be  apprehended. 

The  darkness  which  had  been  so  excessive  at  the  moment  of  their  entranoei  /) 
had  greatly  diminished — so  much  so,  that  he  could  trace  the  forms  of  two  or  ') 
three  of  the  warriors  who  were  stooping  low,  apparently  engaged  with  some 
object  lying  on  the  very  bank  of  the  river,  '''■     ■  ■ii-i;  i;  ■  i  /,-  ti 

"Scalping  and  mutilating  the  poor  fellow,  no  doubt;"  he  muttered  fiercely  (f 
to  hiiiiself,  "  but  here  goes  to  revenge  him  !"  i; 

Forgetting  his  usual  prudence,  he,  in  the  strong  excitement  of  the  moment, 
drew  up  the  butt  of  his  musket  to  his  shnulder,  and  as  well  as  his  cramped.  >[ 
position  would  permit,  covered,  one  of  the  savages,  but  while  in  the  very  '^ 
act  of  pulling  the  trigger,  they  all  fell  i)rostrate,  and  tiie  bullet  whizzed  >; 
hariidessly  over  theiri.  In  the  next  instant  a  ball,  aimed  at  himself,  and  fired 
from  another  quarter,  jtassed  throu>;h  the  window,  grazing  the  shoulder  ., 
slightly  bitten  l>y  Loup  Garon,  and  lodged  in  the  opposite  logs  of  the  room.  ;•( 
A  third  loud  yell  tbllowed*as  the  corporal  drew  in  his  head  and  disappeared  o 
from  the  window.  The  Indians  evidently  thought  he  hud  been  hit,  and  that  >f 
gave  utterance  to  tlieir  triumph.  .-iir 


eq 
fo 


on4 

wl 


of 
tm 


TUB     TALL    OF    CBICAOO. 


«3 


> 


•'There'si  tha;  ^'''^ting  sound  again,"  remarked  Weston. 

All  now  listened,  and  heard  much  more  dintinctly  than  before  the  peouliar 
sound.    Then  followed  a  Bcratohing' and  bumping  of  something  Iieayy  agatnsft    . 
the  end  of  the  houBe.  i 

"I  have  it,"  said  the  Virginian.     "They've  dragged  the  ladder  from  tha 
barn,  and  are  trying  to  fix  it  under  the  bed>-roora  window.    Oaas,  do  you 
and  Phili{)8  go  in  and  see  what  they're  doing,     But  close  the  door  after  yon    i 
that  they  luny  not  pick  you  off  by  the  light."  ■  i 

Th^  door  was  cautiously  opened  and  again  shut  as  soon  as  the  men  had 
entered.    They  looked  up  at  the  window,  which,  in  the  darkness  that  pre-    v 
vailed  around,  was  distinctly  enough  visible,  bat  altliotigh  open,  nothing  met    . 
th^r  glance  of  a  nature  to  startle  them,  nor  could  any  movement  be  heard  '  ■. 
without.  ■'    ^ 

"  Hold  ray  firelock,"  whispered  Oass  to  his  companion,  "  while  I  try  and 
get  a  look  out.    I  know  poor  Le  Noir's  bed  is  directly  under  the  window,   ,i 
and  I  don't  think  that  is  too  high,  if  I  stand  on  the  pillow."  i  I'n 

He  now  cautionsly  groped  his  way  to  the  bed,  on  ascending  which,  bein^ 
a  tall  man,  he  found  the  top  of  his  head  to  be  on  a  level  with  the  sill  of  th«  i;r 
window.  This  was  not  sufScient  for  his  purpose,  and  he  sought  to  elevate 
himself  still  more.  In  attempting^  with  this  view,  to  place  himself  on  the>  ^ 
head-board,  he  missed  his  footing,  and  fell  with  some  force  between  the  head  i 
of  the  bed,  and  the  ra<?e  log  wall.  To  his  dismay,  he  found  that  his  feet  had  i 
rested  nbt  npon  the  hard  floor  of  the  apartment,  but  upoii  something  ftoffc  - 
and  yielding^  which  his  imagination,  strongly  excited  by  the  events  of  th«  < 
day,  led  him  unhesitatingly  to  conclude,  was  the  flesh  of  a  human  body.        r  i 

"A  light,  corporal*— a  light  1"  he  shouted,  regardless  of  every  thing,  hot  ; 
his  desire  to  release  himself  Arom  his  present  situation.  ^  Bring  a  light.  < 
Hers'd  ft  fellow  who  has  got  hold' of  me  by  the  leg  I"     -:  <'!.'!j!!:  "  >iii<.a  iinfl  '• 

"Take  your  mueket  then  and  bayonet  him,"  said  Philips,  coolly,  as  htt 
poshed  towards  the  struggling  man  the  butt  end  of  his  firelock,  which  at 
length  reached  his  hands.    At  the  same  time,  Oorporal  Nixon,  i-endered 
equally  imprudent  by  the  suddenness  of  the  demand  for  his  presence,  entered,    J 
.  followed  by  Weston,  bearing  the  candle.  '.9^oc( 


;(!!.:'[  f,.i 


CHAPTER    VI. 


•  .i— •,";';  .5^•<if.  [lire  I 


7  "■ 


1^' 

•  ■!■* 


NoTHiNO  can,  we  conceive,  be  in  worse  taste  in  a  fictitious  narrative,  than 
the  wanton  introduction  of  the  ludicrous  u|)on  the  solemn,  but  when  in  an 
historical  tale  these  extremes  do  occur,  fidelity  forbids  the  suppression  of  the 
one,  lest  it  should  mar  the  eflfect  of  tlie  other.  Such  is  the  necessity  under 
which  we  find  ourselves. 

The  first  act  of  the  corporal,  on  seeing  how  matters  stood,  was  to  pull 
back  the  bedstead  behind  which  Oass  was  imprisoned,  so  as  wholly  to  uncover 
him  and  his  assailant,  but  the  surprise  of  all  may  be  imagined,  when,  instead 
of  an  Indian,  with  whom  they  believed  him  to  be  struggling,  they  beheld  an 
Immense  turkey-cock,  well  known  to  them  all,  which  was  partly  under  tho 


<«'■ 


f  » 


44 


nARDSCRABBLE  ;     OR, 


foot  of  the  soldier — partly  in  a  boarded  drain  or  reservoii^  which  passed  I'rnia 
the  apartment  into  a  large  hog  trough,  that  lay  along  tlie  wall  and  daily 
r.oeived  the  refuse  of  the  various  meals.  The  bird,  furious  with  pain,  was 
burying'  its  beak:  into  the  leg  of  the  soldier,  while  lie,  with  the  butt  end  of 
his  musket  aloft,  and  the  bayonet  depressed,  ofifered  the  most  burlesque 
representation  of  St.  G^rge  preparing  to  give  his  mortal  thrust  to  the 
dragon. 

In  spite  of  the  danger  by  which  they  were  beset,  it  was  impossible  for  the 
men  to  restrun  the  indulgence  of  their  humor  at  rhi8  singular  sightf  nor 
was  the  disposition  at  all  checked,  when  they  saw  the  bayonet  descend  and 
aotaally  transfix  the  intruder  to  the  floor — causing  him  to  droop  his  head, 
and  thus  free  Oass  from  his  furious  attacks. 

"  If  that^B  the  way  you  kill  your  enemies,  Nutcrackers,  we  promise  to  eat 
them  np  for  yon — as  many  as  you  like,"  and  as  he  spoke.  Green  advanced 
ftnd  seized  the  dying  bird  by  the  throat ;  but  as  he  pulled  it  suddenly  away, 
a  dark  human  hand  was  observed  to  relinquish  its  hold  of  the  feet,  and 
rapidly  disappear.  ^ 

The  mirth  of  the  men  was  now  succeeded  by  a  seriousness  befitting  the 
occasion,  for  it  was  clear  to  all  that  this  occurrence,  absurd  as  it  was,  had 
been  the  means  of  betraying  a  new  plan  of  the  enemy  to  get  into  the  house. 
If  the  drain  was  large  enough  to  admit  of  the  passage  of  the  bird — always 
remarkable  for  its  size— it  was  highly  possible  that  some  of  the  more  slightly 
formed  Indians,  mig^t  force  their  way  through  it  also.  They  had  evidently 
tried  to  see  if  it  could  be  done — the  turkey>oock  having  been  put  forward  as 
a  ^^  feeler,"  and  the  necessity  of  either  dosing  the  avenue,  or  weakening  their 
steength  by  keeping  a  man  constantly  on  the  watch,  was  now  obvious. 

"  Find  something  to  stop  up  that  hole  with  Oass,"  ordered  the  corporal. 

'*  I  can  see  nothing,"  replied  the  other,  after  a  few  moments  search, 
**  unless  we  stop  it  with  the  bedding."  ,i.<j 

"  A  wise  plan  that.  The  Injins  would  soon  set  fire  to  it,  and  if  they  didn^t 
burn  us  out,  they  would  soon  smoke  us  out.  Either  would  suit  their  pnr> 
pose." 

"  Let  him  stuff  it  with  his  head,  corporal,"  interposed  Green,  "I'm  sure 
that's  thick  enough  for  a  plug." 

•'  Perhaps  there's  a  head  in  it  already,"  suggested  Philips,  "  there  was  a 
hand  just  now — the  other  may  have  followed." 

"By  jingo  I'll  try,"  returned  Green,  "  Vd  give  a  week's  grog  to  be  able  to 
prick  a  feller  with  this  playtliin'." 

So  saying,  he  knelt  upon  tlie  floor,  and  holding  his  musket  in  a  horizontal 
position,  a  few  inches  above  if.  he  gave  a  furious  tln-ust  into  the  aparture. 
To  his  astonishment,  for  nouwitlistanding  iiis  half  bravado,  he  had  not  seriously 
anticipated  such  a  result,  he  lound  the  advance  of  his  weapon  slightly 
arrested  by  a  yielding  body,  and  even  had  not  a  sharp  cry  of  pain  from  the 
other  extremity  of  the  tn^ugh,  satisfied  him  of  the  fact,  the  peculiar  sensation 
he  experienced  a?  the  steel  overcame  the  resistance  was  sufficient  to  convince 
Green,  little  accustomed  even  as  he  had  been  to  bayonet  men,  that  the  bay- 
onet had  entered  into  some  soft  part  of  the  linman  body. 

To  the  cry  of  the  wounded  man,  succeeded  a  savage  and  threatening  yell 


■o 


>ij 


Mi 


THIS    FALL    OK    CHIOAOO. 


u 


f.'l 


from  the  united  baud,  add  now  re-commenoed  the  grating  sound  which  had 
two  or  three  tira«s  before  excited  the  conjectures  of  the  besieged. 

"  Ah  I  yell  away  you  devils ;  that's  all  the  good  youUl  get,"  exclaimed 
Oreen,  exulting  nt  his  soocess ;  *'  but  don't  take  so  tight  a  grip  of  my  bay- 
onet. I  my,  Philips,  lend  us  a  hand,  if  I  shanH  lose  my  musket  with  that 
fellow  strugglin'  like  a  speared  Masoalinga." 

Both  now  pulled  at  the  firelock,  with  all  their  strength.  Suddenly  tho 
resistance  ceased,  and  they  fell  sideways  on  the  floor,  bringing  the  musket 
with  them,  but  without  the  bayonet.  At  the  same  moment  a  shot  was  fired 
into  the  aperture,  and  the  ball  whizzing  by  the  ear  of  Philips,  and  passing 
through  Green's  right  leg,  lodged  in  the  partition  beyond. 
;  "  Stand  aside,  men,"  shouted  tho  corporal,  "  stand  from  before  that  hole, 
or  we  shall  be  marks  in  this  light  for  the  skulking  villains." 

Jackson,  who  had  been  dispatched  for  one  of  the  small  round  hickory  logs 
that  lay  piled  up  in  a  corner  near  the  chimney,  now  appioached  with  ond 
that  was  just  large  enough  to  fit  tightly  in  the  aperture.  All  seized  it,  and 
taking  the  precaution  to  keep  their  legs  out  of  danger,  jammed  one  end  into 
the  mouth  of  the  drain,  adding  afterwards  a  few  heavy  blows  from  the  axes 
of  Le  Noir  and  Ephraim  Giles,  which  had  been  found  in  a  comer  of  th« 
room. 

"Now  then,"  said  the  Virginian,  after  having  examined  the  small  window 
of  the  bed-room,  and  securely  fastened  the  shntter — "  we've  not  much  more 
to  flear.  They're  two  to  one  its  trae,  but  I  defy  them  to  do  us  much  harm 
before  daylight,  when,  I  take  it  they'll  be  ofi',  if  not  sooner." 

"  Well,  then,  corporal,"  suggested  Green,  **  I  vote  that  as  we're  pretty  safe, 
and  have  yet  that  piece  of  plunder,  we  set  to  work  and  cook  it,  for  Fm  dev- 
ilish hungery,  and  so  I  think  we  must  all  be,  seeing  as  how  we  hdn't  had  a 
regular  meal  the  whole  day,  besides  if  we  rummage  the  place,  we  may  ohanoe 


«. 
■j 

.!) 


off  the  nice 
nt  there  may 

al,  "Oass, 


to  light  upon  somethin'  else.    I  see  the  varmint  have 
row  of  venison  hams  that  used  to  hang  iip  round  the 
be  somethin' in  the  loft."  ^ 

"  No  bad  thought  that  of  yours.  Green,"  answered  the 
you  killed  the  bird,  you  must  pluck  it  and  grill  it."  f*    ' '       '-  ,.-^ 

^*  That's  what  I  call  taking  it  sensibly,"  said  the  llittei%lea^g  his  musket 
against  the  wall,  and  dragging  the  heavy  turkey  to  the  kirohen-corner,  where 
seated  on  the  very  chair  on  which  poor  Mr.  Heywood  had  smoked  his  last 
pipe,  he  commenced  plucking  out  the  feathers  by  handfiils.  "  Let  fasting 
without,  and  feasting  within  be  the  word ;  but  its  mortal  dry  eating  that  great 
he  turkey,  without  something  to  wash  it  down,  I  say.  Philips,  you  are  a 
good  hand  at  foraging— don't  you  think  you  could  find  out  a  little  of  the 
Wabash  there,"  and  he  pointed  to  the  loft.  '  ■-.  ■,,      v.. 

Philips  approached  the  ladder  with  the  intention  of  making  a  search,  but 
the  Virginian  checked  him. 

''Stop  a  moment,"  lie  said,  "until  I  have  had  another  look  out  in  front.'* 
Thus  saying  lie  cautiously  ascended  to  his  former  position,  the  view  from 
which  was  much  less  indistinct  than  before.  The  obscurity  had,  in  a  great 
degree,  passed  away,  so  much  so,  that  all  objects  within  the  area  formed  by 
the  enclosures  of  the  garden  and  the  orchard  were  thrown  into  perceptible 


\ 


% 


^■4    1 


lit 


4% 


HARDSOiUUBLK  ;     OK, 


a 


*■  ■ 

I 


hif^ 


?! 


relief.     His  first,  thought  was  to  cast  his  glance  upon  the  water,  hoping,  h« 
scarcely  knew  why,  that  something  might  be  seen  of  the  skiff  which  had 
contained  the  unfortunate  Oolh'ns.     Disappointed  in  that  quarter,  his  eye 
next  turned  upon  the  walnut  tree,  the  white  blossoms  of  which  had  dropped 
around  and  upon  the  spot,  where  lay  the  body  of  the  ill-fated  Le  Noir,  at 
whose  head  was  sMU  squatted,  as  when  he  had  left  him,  liis  faithful  dog. 
There  was  much  in  this  trait  of  devotion  on  the  part  of  the  animal  which 
could  not  fail  to  awaken  sympathy  even  in  the  roughest  lieart,  and  although 
the  corporal  was  not  particularly  sentimental,  he  could  not  but  be  deeply 
tonched  by  tlie  contrast  forced  upon  him,  between  the  moaning  animal  and 
the  wild  lust  for  blood  which  reigned  in  the  hearts  of  their  unprovoked 
assailants.    His  first  impulse  was  to  call  approvingly  to  the  dog,  but  thei 
next  moments  reflection  on  the  fplly  of  such  a  proceeding  vtifled  the  impulse. 
Then  his  attention  was  called  not  only  to  the  perfect  immunity  from  further 
ont^e  pf  the  victim  and  his  follower,  but  to  the  profoand  silence,  and 
absence  of,  danger  which  seemed  to  exist  in  that  quarter.    That  the  Indians 
had  not  departefl,  although  they  had  not'  been  heard  sidce  the  yell  that  fol^ 
lowed  the  cry  produced  by  the  thrust  from  Gf een^s  bayonet,  he  felt  confideiili, ' 
and  it  now  seemed  to  bim  that  they  mtist  be  directing  their  efforts  against 
some  other  part  of  the  building.  f  ' 

No  sooneir  had  he  admitted  this  last  belief,  than  he  again  descended,  and 
raising  the  ladder  himself,  bore  it  noiselessly  to  the  spot  wliehce  it  had  been' 
removed,  then  ordering  tht;  candlia  to  be  extinguished,  and  the  embers  tb  be 
drawn  together,  so  as  to  deaden  the  light  of  the  fire,  he  with  Grdien  and 
Weston  crept  up  the  ladder,  Oass  being  lef^  tol  complete  the  preparation  of 
th^  tnrkej  tlie  best  way  he  could,  while  F'hilips  and  Jackson,  posted  at 'the 
backhand  front  doors,  listened  attentively  for  the  slightest  sound  of  danger^ 
which  bein^  heard,  they  were  at  once  to  warn  the  party  above. 

When  tbe  oori»QraI  had  gained  the  top  of  the  ladder.  Green,  who  was  the 
last,  having  his  jOpK)n  j^e  first  step,  the  former  was  evidently  startled  by 
J — 1^^^   JTO  |nst  as  he  waA  in  the  act  of  springing  to  the  npper 


■ , » 


some  new  duupsr 
floor,  the  latter. 


..'.f1^cti 
tlie  n 


^ait'to  sustain  their  united  weight,  snapped  snddenly 
Icbi^  ti^  fell  with  some  noise,  thus  separating  him  frbnl 


if 


asunder  in 

Iiis  oompanioinji>|^^ 

Regardless  of  thisi^nd  having  secured  his  own  footing,  he  now  moved 
cautiously  towards  the  opposite  end  of  the  loft,  where  a  small  opening,  about    ■ 
two  feet  in  length,  and  one  in  height,  seemingly  intended  as  a  ventilator, 
appeared  nearly  vertical  to  the  window  of  tlie  bed-room  below.    Casting   ' 
his  glance  downwards  through  the  opening,  he  beheld  five  or  six  savages 
standing  grouped  together,  leaning  ou  their  guns,  and  apparently  watching    ■ 
some  object  above  them.     This,  naturally,  drew  the  corporal's  attention  to 
the  same  quarter,  when  to  his  dismay  he  found  that  the  long  ladder  usually 
kept  at  the  barn  was  now  resting  against  the  gable  of  the  house,  not  three 
feet  from  the  right  corner  of  the  aperture,  through  which  he  gazed.     In  an 
instant  it  occurred  to  him  that  this  had  been  the  work  of  the  Iiulians,  and  at 
once  accounted  for  the  grating  sounds  that  had  so  often  met  his  ears  that 
night.     There  could  be  no  doubt  that  the  p.lan  of  the  enemy  now  was 
to  enter  the  roof,  which  could  be  done  by  removing  part  of  the  raw  buffido 


s' 


vh;--.    ka'.i,   or   Chicago. 


41 


M') 


hides  of  whiob  it  wa^  composed.  Indeed  it  -was  a  dlight  doLso  made  io  ttie 
direotioa  of  that  very  anglo  of  the  roof  where  the  ladd(r  now  stood,  that 
had  oauglit  ids  attention  on  first  putting  his  iieiid  through  tho  aperturt 
while  preceeding  Itis  men.  This  had  suddonly  ceased  ut  L)ie  moment  whea 
the  ladder  broke  and  fell,  nor  had  tliere  been  a  repetition  of  the  flound. 
Still,  satisfied  that  some  discovery  of  tlio  true  designs  of  the  Indians  would 
result  from  his  remaining  'i  little  longer,  lie  continued  at  the  opening,  which 
was  too  small  to  betray  his  presence  if  using  precaution,  while  it  enabled 
him  to  observe  the  movements  of  the  euemy.  Soon  afterwards  he  heard 
thein  speaking  in  earnest  but  low  tones,  as  if  addressing  somebody  above 
them,  and  then  a  prolonged  yell,  which  was  answered  by  others  from  the 
front  of  the  house,  echoed  through  the  surrounding  forests.  Even  atnid  the 
horrid  discord,  the  quick  ear  of  the  Virginian,  now  painfully  on  the  stretch,  * 
eanght  the  same  sound  that  had  first  attracted  his  attention.  It  was  exactly 
at  the  angle  of  tiie  roof,  and  only  a  pace  or  two  from  him.  The  pecnliar  * 
noise  was  not  to  be  tnistakeo  even  by  an  unpractised  ear.  It  was,  evidently,  ^ 
that  of  a  knife,  not  very  sharp,  cautiously  cutting  through  a  tongh  and  resist-  • 
ing  leather,  r.    .,.,.         .;,.;     '  "  ^ '      \  \[.  "■■•   '  ''.  "'  ":""'  ^^';  '"'•'  ^•'''H'»' 

The  corporal  became  now  more  anxious  than  ever,J}ut  this  feeling  did  not    ^ 
in  the  slightest  degree,  disturb  his  self-possession,  or  cause  hihl  to  waver  ia  ' '' 
the  resolution  he  had  from  the  first  adopted.    He  waited  patiently,  niltil,  ai    ' 
he  expected,  he  heard  a  corner  of  one  of  the  buffalo  hides  turned  np,  and    ^ 
beheld  reflected,  "gainst  the  back-ground  of  light  thus  suddenly  introdaoed,   '^ 
the  uppe^part  of  a  human  being,  who^e  shorn  heJad,  covered  on  the  crown 
with  straight  and  slightly  streaming  feathers,  too  plainly  indicated  his  purpose.    ^ 
What  a  target  for  the  bullet— what  an  object  for  the  bayonet  of  ihe  soldier, 
who,  had  not  prudence  and  coolness  interposed,  had  certainly  used  one  or  the    ' 
other.    But  the  Virginian  had  hit  upon  another,  and  as  he  conceived,  a  better 
plan  to  get  rid  of  his  enemy,  and  in  his  fate,  of  further  j)uJ^d|j||^  annoyance 
from  his  ferocious  companions.    It  was  not  his  object^u^RpPpwidians  should    ' 
even  suspect  that  they  had  been  detected  in  this  new  (Is^6^y6i^%|  was  well 
aware  that  if  he  fired,  or  used  his  bayonet  against^^e  tnin,  tnose  below    '^ 
would  rush  np  the  ladder  to  succeed  him,  and  by  their  :<fef^ht4>revent  the    ' 
accomplishment  of  what  he  had  in  view ;   therefol'i^dtiti^^,  as  he  in  a 
measure  was,  from  his  party,  it  was  incumbent  on  him  to  adopt  the  only 
sure  means  of  relief  from  danger,  and  that  without  a  mofuent  of  delay. 

While  the  Indian,  who  finding,  evidently,  that  the  orifice  he  had  made  in 
the  roof  was  not  yet  large  enough  for  his  purpose,  had  dropped  the  incised  . 
portion'of  the  hide,  and  was  ngain  using  his  knife ;  the  Virginian,  stooping 
slightly  at  the  off-side  of  the  window,  ascertained  that  the  feet  of  the  former 
were  resting  on  one  of  the  upper  steps  of  the  ladder.  This  was  what  he 
desired,  and  ail  he  now  wanted  was  a  hard,  flat  substance  to  fasten  on  the 
point  of  his  bayonet.  After  reflecting  vainly  for  a  few  moments  how  this 
-was  to  be  attaineil,  he  suddenly  bethought  him  of  his  thick-soled  ammuni- 
tion-boots. Removing  one  of  these  without  noise,  he  pierced  the  inner 
leather,  by  pressing  it  firmly  against  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  so  as  to  secure 
without  allowing  it  to  [)ass  through.  Then,  cautiously  protruding  his  mnsket 
from  the  opening,  he  slowly  advanced  it,  until  the  sole  of  the  boot  touched 


if 


48 


HARliSCRABBLK  ;     OR, 


I 


the  frame  of  tLeWder,  not  two  feet  under  the  ruun.l  on  wliioh  tlie  Indian 
•tood.  ^ere  for  a  moment  he  allowed  the  barrel,  concealed  by  the  low 
depending  eavca,  to  rest  against  the  jamb  of  tlie  aperture.  Hid  anxiety  was 
now  worked  up  to  the  higliest  possible  pitch,  for  he  feared,  notwithstanding 
hia  suoceBS  so  far,  that  Bomething  might  vet  occur  to  defeat  his  purpose,  and 
ihuB  peril  not  only  his  own  life,  but  the  lives  of  the  whole  of  the  party 
below.  Three  minutes  he  remained  in  this  trying  position  of  uncertainty^ 
which  seemed  to  him  as  so  many  hours.  Presently,  however,  tiio  Indian  on 
the  roof,  having  evidently  accomplished  his  task,  and  believing  from  the 
silenoe  that  had  for  some  time  pervaded  around,  that  no  one  was  near  him, 
•poke  in  a  low  tone  to  his  companions,  who  now  cautiously  crept  towards 
tiie  ladder. 

Thb  was  the  moment  for  action.  The  Virginian,  who,  although  expecting 
this,  had  watched  their  movements  with  aching  interest,  now  summoned 
his  whole  strength,  and  while  the  first  savage  below  was  upon  the  ladder, 
poshed  his  modcet  with  such  violence  against  the  sole,  that  it  carried  it 
rapidly  over  the  corner  of  tlie  house,  before  the  Indian  could  find  presence- 
of  mind  to  throw  himself  npon  the  roof — a  sudden  backward  jerk  of 
the  weapon  liberated  the  bayonet,  the  extreme  point  of  which  only  had 
entered  the  wood,  and  as  the  Virginian  withdrew  this,  he  conld  distinctly 
see  the  unfortunate  savages  fall  headlong  from  the  top  of  the  ladder. 
Uttering,  as  both  descended,  a  fearful  cry  of  dismay,  which  was  responded 
to  by  fierce  yells  from  the  lips  of  their  companions,  who  hastened  to  th^ir 
•nccpr. 

"  Well  done,  that  I"  said  the  corporal,  exultingly,  and  half-aloud  to  himself, 
as  iie  slapped  his  thigh,  in  a  manner  to  denote  his  own  self-approval.  "That's 
what  I  cadi  doing  the  business  as  it  should  be  done.  The  attempt,"  and  he 
smiled  at  the  conceit.  *'  was  not  a  bootless  one  to  us  all,  though  it  has  been 
a  hpot  lea$  one 

To  undersUpM .  t|^jfi^ftC!6tiousness  of  the  Virginian,  it  must  be  understood 
that  on  withw^^m  w^^ayonet,  the  boot  which  it  had  only  slightly  pieroed, 
bad  slipped  frojoi^^  jne^on  and  fallen  to  the  ground  simultaneously  with 
the  other  heaviet^|)CHd^iB,i^hose  more  marked  sound  had  absorbed  its  own. 
It  therefore  escaJfnktHj^notice  of  the  Indians. 

"  Hilloa  there  1"  he  continued  in  a  louder  key ;  ^'  thereV  no  more  danger 
in  this  quarter,  my  lads.  Show  us  a  light,  and  if  Oass  has  that  turkey  ready, 
we'll  have  some  supper.  For  my  part,  I'm  devilish  sharp  set.  Here,  Green, 
take  my  musket,  and  give  me  the  candle." 

Surprised  at  the  corporal's  unwonted  humor,  for  they  had  been  led  to 
apprehend,  from  the  noise  made  by  the  falling  ladder,  and  the  excitement 
evidently  prevailing  among  the  Indians,  that  some  new  act  of  treachery  was 
about  to  be  tried  by  them,  tlie  men  gathered  underneath  the  opening, 
Green  taking  his  musket  from  tlie  hands  of  the  Virginian,  while  in  return, 
he  mounted  on  one  of  iiiu  ioav  chairs,  and  extending  his  arm  far  above, 
handed  him  the  light. 

After  a  few  minutes  search,  the  corporal  appeared  again  at  the  mouth  of 

'  tlw  loft,  not  only  with  a  dem^ohn  half-filled  with  whisky,  but  with  a  large 

loaf  of  brown  bread,  and  part  of  a  shoulder  of  dried  venison,  from  which 


;i*» 


IS! 

Ill 

''•  1 

i\ 

Hi 


•\ 


TIIR    FALL    OF    CUICAQO. 


4S 


?T- 


nearlj  oDe-Lulf  iiad  been  ohipped  uwaj  in  slioes.  This,  indeed,  was  a  prize, 
and  the  men  looked  at  the  articles  of  necessary  supply,  aa  they  were  sucoes- 
■Wely  handed  down,  with  an  eariiestnesti  which  denoted,  that  whatever 
might  be  their  apprehensions  of  danger  from  without,  they  by  no  means 
ooveted  fighting  on  an  empty  stomach.  After  haying  lowered  the  treasures 
be  had  been  ho  fortunate  as  to  secure,  the  Virginian  swung.hiinself  down  by 
his  hands,  without  difficulty,  upon  the  lower  floor. 

The  fire  had  been  again  revived,  aud  having  ordered  Jackson  up  into  the 
loft,  to  keep  watch  at  the  sraall  window,  and  apprise  hiin  if  any  attempt 
should  be  made  to  replace  the  ladder,  the  corporal  for  the  firdt  time  lighting 
his  pipe,  sat  down  to  ruminate  on  hia  position,  and  consider  the  means  by 
which  the  party  were  to  be  taken  back  to  the  fort.  Farther  serious  appre- 
hensions in  regard  to  their  safety  he  did  not  now  entertain,  for  baulked,  as 
the  Indiana  had  been,  in  all  their  attempts  to  get  into  the  house,  he  felt 
persuaded  that  it  was  more  with  a  view  to  annoy  and  alarm,  than  with  any 
hope  of  eventual  success,  that  they  still  lingered  in  the  neighborhood.  Had 
they  been  in  a  Kituation  to  continue  the  siege  longer  than  the  morning,  the 
case  might  have  been  different.  But  it  was  obvious  that  in  order  to  secure 
their  oym  safety,  alarmed  as  they  muqt  know  the  governor  would  be  at  the 
absence  of  the  party  under  his  command,  they  would  not  remain  longer 
than  daylight  exposed  to  the  clianoes  of  being  themselves  closely  assailed 
from  without. 

M  t.  Such  was  the  reasoning  of  the  Virginian,  whose  greatest  source  of  dis" 
comfort  now  was  the  apprehension  of  serious  reprimand,  if  not  something 
worse,  from  the  austere  Oaptain  Headley,  whose  displeasure,  he  was  certain, 
would  be  so  much  the  greater  on  account  of  the  loss  of  the  unfortunate  Col- 
lins. He  looked  at  his  watch,  but  to  his  great  annoyance,  found  that  it  had 
stopped,  the  hour-hand  pointing  to  one  o'clock.  How  long  it  had  been  nm 
down,  he  could  not  tell,  but  from  the  time  which  had  elapsed  since  their 
abandonment  of  the  boat,  and  arrival  in  the  house,  he  did  not  think  it  oould 
be  less  than  four  in  the  morning. 
Desirous  to  satisfy  himself  by  the  appearance  of  the  heavens,  he  arosej 

'  and  with  the  aid  of  Green,  placed  the  table  under  the  window  commanding 
a  view  of  the  river.  This  being  too  low,  a  chair  was  placed  upon  it,  thus 
affording  the  corporal  the  advantage  of  greater  elevatioi^  than  I^e  had. derived 
from  the  use  of  the  ladder  itself.  .  v,.    r .'      ,  ,         '  ~ ''  ^ 

Everything  was  again  quiet.  Not  a  sound  broke  the  stillness,  save  the 
howling  of  a  few  wolves,  which,  probably,  attracted  by  the  scent  of  the 
hnman  blood  that  had  been  spilt  that  day^  and  by  the  exposed  corpse  that 
was  now  strewed  with  white  blossoms  from  the  tree  beneath  which  it  lay, 
were,  by  the  increasing  light,  indistinctly  seen  on  the  opposite  shore.  But 
not  their  savage  cry  of  hunger  alone  was  heard.  Ever  and  anon,  in  reply  to 
their  fierce  howling  was  heard  the  snappish  bark  of  Loup  Garpu,  as,  leaping 
on  the  body  of  his  unconscious  master,  he  lashed  his  tail,  and-seemed  to  bid 
defiance  to  those  whose  errand  he  seemed  so  perfectly  to  divine.  ..' .' 

:^<7  **  Poor  dogj  you  shall  pever  want  a  master  while  I  can  keep  you,"  half 
murmured  the  corporal,  as  he  now  turned  his  gaze  cpon  the  water,  anxious 
to  see  if  any  trace  could  be  found  there  of  the  skiff  and  its  missing  ocbnpant. 


>  ,' 


*■:: 


;i^ 


^  ;. 


50 


HARDSCRABBLE  ;     OR, 


\ 
]■ 

t'' 

e.' 


:.l:i 


C4  7! 


Notliing,  however,  carae  within  bis  view,  but  Jnst  as  he  was  preparing  to 
deficend  from  the  window,  the  ontline  of  the  boat,  for  from  its  peoaliar 
shape  he  easily  identified  it  as  their  own,  riveted  his  attention  as  it  passed 
qniokly  np  the  river,  tilled  with  seven  or  eight  savages  in  their  war-dress^ 
and  having  at  the  bow  wlmt  had  the  appearance  of  a  pole,  from  the  top  of 
which  dangled  a  human  scalp. 

"Gone  at  last,"  he  exclaimed,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "but  with  poor 
OoUins'  scalp  along  with  them.  Cass,"  he  added,  as  he  ^tprang  to  the  floor, 
'*  if  that  turkey  is  fit  to  eat  let's  have  it  directly,  and  you,  Weston,  look  about 
and  see  if  there  is  any  more  water  to  be  bad.  Make  haste,  now,  for  we  shall 
have  to  tramp  it  to  the  fort  as  soon  as  it^s  daylight.  The  devils  are  gone 
and  carried  off  the  boat." 

/    Kot  less  anxious  than  hindself  to  be  once  more  on  theh*  way  to  the  fort, 

'  which  some  of  them,  on  entering  the  house  that  night,  had  scarcely  hoped 

to  reach  alive,  the  men,  leaning  their  muskets  against  the  side  of  the  room, 

assisted  in  preparing  the  rude,  but  grateful  meal,  of  which  they  stood  so 

inoch  in  need,  and  which  was  to  sustain  them  during  the  nhort-approaohing 

march.     The  table  having  been  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  and  on  it 

the  demijohn,  and  bread  and  venison,  Green  ahd  Weston,  the  latter  of 

'  wliom  had  been  unsucoessfalin  his  dieairoh  for  water,  seized  each  a  leg  and  a 

'wfog  of  the  ample  turkey,  which  nOw  denuded  and  disembowelled,  Oass  had 

icientifically  carved  in  its  raw  state,  and  held  them  in  the  blaze  of  the  fire, 

waiting  patiently  until  the  blackness  of  the  outside  should  give  promise  of 

corresponding  warmth  withid.    Its  slaybr  held  th*  body  of  the  bird  over 

the  fire  in  a' similar  manner,  the  poker  having  beeii  thrust  into  the  abdomen. 

,  They  all  sat,  or  rather  stood  in  a  squatting  position  with  their  faces  to  the 

fire. 

"  Well,  now,  I  reckon  we  shall  make  six  considerable  shares  of  this," 
drawled  Oass,  looking  fondly  at  the  carcass,  which  was  slowly  but  tempt- 
ingly  spluttering  before  him  at  the  fire.  "Are  you  any  ways  particular. 
Green  ? — what  part  suits  your  taste  best,  Weston — a  leg  or  a  wing  f  For  my 
part  I  always  stick  to  the  carcass." 

"Faith,  and  I  like  both,  and  a  slice  of  the  hreast  to  boot.  I^  Just  the 
fellow,  now  th(>  vermints  are  got^,  thatconld  eat  all  of  them." 

"Tes,  hut  ^on  know,'*  returned  the  temporary  ekef  dt  euiaine^  "it  must  be 
ahare  and  share  alike— there's  two  legs — two  wings  and  the  breast,  and  the 
lack  slit  in  two— that  Just  makes  six  portions,  and  we're  six  men  in  all." 

"Oast  lots  fiddlestick,**  sidd Green,  " what X)ortion  do  yon  expect,  Nnt- 
oraokersT  unless  It's  the  neck,  and  the  loaly  part  of  the  leg,  the  Iqjin  had  hold 
of  when- yon  so  bravely  Sent  your  bayonet  through  her  feathers." 

''Well,  only  think  how  cunning  of  the  fellows,"  remarked  Weston, 
"who'd  ever  have  thought  they  would  try  that  fashion  to  get  in,  eramming 
an  old  turkey  before  them  to  dear  the  way,  and  get  in  his  oraw  the  first  bul- 
let that  might  be  sent."     "  "**  .'•"'"=  '  ■'■■Uhmik^^hu  ■.-, ,  i ;  ^i>  =^  »J5  i' . 

"  Tes,  and  the  tight  grip  tiie  fellow  had  of  him  by  the  leg.  Jnst  look, 
Chreen,  the  mark  of  the  deril's  hand  may  be  npon  him  yet.  It  was  the  right 
lef,  and  that's  it  yon  hare." 

**Boeh  I  ^hiat  do  you  expect  me  to  find  there  b^t  the  marks  of  yonr  dirty 


I'M 


J-M', 


iH' 


v.'ir' 


P* 

crj 

]f 

( 
I 

slo 

Gr 

fro 

] 

bo< 

roc 

I  sea 

.int< 

gor 

hal: 

Its 

and 

don 

ent( 

the 

int 

pan 

•  ■  !  •//  fjii 

-'?o  ;.•-!('.•, 

iol't  ,  > 

.  pon 

. / ,  ill 
t^i 
dep 
tioE 
di^D 
sim 

of 
win 
col< 
eith 
stro 
par< 
[  ibnt 

ext€ 
fow 
whi 


hr- 
\ 


V,! 

■,  i 


i 


THR     FALL     OK     OHI'IAi;^. 


51 


SIm 


HI" 


'.  paws  while  placking  him,  I'lu  too  devilis*h  hungry  fur  Micti  nonsense,  Nut- 
oraolcers;  butsliownie  the  Ii\jin  that  would  venture  to  touch  hia  legs  now. 
]f  I  wouldn't  nmrlc  him,  then  my  name^s  not  Seth  Qreen." 

Scarcely  had  lie  finislied  speaking,  when  a  dark  naked  human  hand  was 
slowly  protruded  over  his  shoulder,  and  seized  not  the  leg  of  the  turkey,  which 
Green  now  grasped  with  unconscious  and  convulsive  energy,  but  a  brand 
from  the  fire. 

In  his  terror  at  that  strange  and  unexpected  appearance,  he  dropped  the 

body  ot'  the  bird  in  the  glowing  embers,  and  uttering  a  faint  cry,  turned  half 

round  and  beheld  what  filled  him  with  the  deepest  dismay:  his  companions, 

, ,';.  scarcely  less  terrified  than  himself,  sprang  together  to  their  feet,  with  the 

,      intention  of  rushing  to  their  muskets,  but  all  hope  of  recovering  them  was 

gone.    The  sa^rage  who  had  snatched  the  fife  was  no  longer  there  then,  bat 

half  a  dozen  others  in  their  war-paint  stood  between  them  and  their  fireloclEB. 

It  seemed  as  if  they  were  sensible  that  their  very  silence  inspired  more  awe 

and  apprehension  in  the  bosoms  of  their  defenoless  enemies  than  conM  have 

.  done  the  most  turbulent  expression  of  their  triumph.    They  had  evidently 

.  entered  .by  the  back  door,  which  was  now  quite  open,  and  grouped  airound 

the  body  of  ^r.  Hey  wood,  were  apparently  more  interested  in  the  d^ad  than 

i;n  the  living.    Not  a  sign  was  there  of  the  corpbrti,  and  Philips  stood  ns  if 

paralyzed,  leaning,  musket  in  hand,  against  the  opposite  entrance. 

'■"''  ''  '  m  ^''''•''fni  i  hi'-  -.IM;;^-     ir.Vih 


fi'^ 


O'.'f 


■J-; 


HVi  ii  -'JJIH  ' 


■ 'JO ifr; (>.:!)  0'    ♦••'.Jl  1   ,'.(f_..?;jfn'' 


I. 


OHAPTER   VII. 


iij  ji)...')U  rnsu 


■'■■-h.Ll  lilt  :    >m/  ,  .  . 

>,  ^j,(,  ,  LptAriNO  the  little  party  in  the  dismay  occasioned  by  their  neW  position, 

ji  jin^ifd  that  at  a  moment  when  they  believed  themselves  secured  from^Cirther 

i,.;,>,|p^errup|;^on  or  danger,  we  mnst  now  return  to  the  Fort,  where  theii'long- 

bo^f.pont^niied  absencfei  coupled  with  the  startling  tidings  conveyed  by  Ephraim 

Y^iii  Qiles,  ha4  created  eqaal  anxiety  and  apprehension. 

(i)  ,7 1  lit  J  will  be  recollected  that  dqring  the  examination  of  the  latter.  Ensign 

,  li^l^onaynehad,  after  commnnicating  with  the  commanding  oflice^^' suddenly 

/,r  (departed,  t^oro^s  the  river,  taking  with  him  a  few  arniied  men.    The  destina- 

..{;  jtion  of  this  little  party  was  the  cottage  occupier!  by  Ifrs.  Hey  wood  imd  her 

,  ..I i daughter,  who,  with  a  woman  servant,  were  the  -  ;ie  occupants  of  a  dwelling, 

simple  in  construction,  but  decorated  both  within  and  without,  by  the  hand 
,,,  j  of  good  taste.  It  was  a  low,  one-storied  huilding,  painted  white,  y^lth  green 
y.;  window-blinds  and  shutters,  and  a  verandah  of  trellistwork  bf  the  same 
}is.\[\  color,  that  extended  a  few  feet  square  round  the  principal  entrance.  On 
^>| !,:  jeither  side,  rose  to  the  roof,  on  parallel  lines,  and  at  equal  distances,  cords  of 
-..{     strong  twine,  on  which  already  had  begnn  to  interlace  themselves,  Uie  various 

parasites  indigenous  to  the  soil,  which  winter  had  robbed  of  theii^  freshness, 

:i,tiiib,at. which  a  southern  sun  was  now  evidently  vivifying  and  re-invigorating. 

.  ?nr  A  a>^I  garden  of  aboi^t  half-an-acre,  surrounded  by  a  similar  trellis-work, 

extended  equally  in  front,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  housq— while  the  graoefnl 
lo  V  [form  ^vien  to  the  yarious  beds,  and  tbe  seleoHonof  ij^epUtots  aIto  flowers, 

-wbloh,  although  stiil  in  their  dormant  state,  were  yet  reoogtiicfiblc^testifled 


#^ 


i; 


V,. 


p''' 


>*  If 


'."r- 


62 


(lAROSCRABBLK  ;     OR, 


i 


1     '      ? 
'i't   ' 


C/r" 


V 
■'■il 

M) 
IP 


.<f 


f 

:oi 

^ 

vl;; 

'«r 

i   ■'   ,:t 

;       ^ 

1     •'•»' 

■•"i 

. 

fni 

11} 

*< 

'"\    < , 

*t  . 

..0 
.'.fl 

th»  refined  taste  of  those  who  bad  assisted  at  their  oaltare.  The  pathwaj, 
which  was  recently  graveled  from  the  adjacent  sarKl-hills,  rnn  in  u  i^traight 
line  from  the  veiundiih,  toward  the  little  green  gate,  opening  on  tin  front 
of  the  garden,  took  a  oemi- circular  sweep  on  either  side,  at  nhoiit  one-third 
of  the  _"''^)ince  trom  tlie  gate.  This*  form  had  been  given  to  it  for  tho 
porpose  of  ufTording  room  for  the  creatnu  of  a  mound,  on  tur'  Hunimit  of 
'which  had  been  plmcii  a  small  Hammer- ii<>ur<e,  octagon  in  8liii|» ,  and  con- 
ttrncted'of  the  name  osoriptiou  of  trvllir-wdrk.  The  sloping  sidus  of  tha 
moond  itself,  Were  pronKsely  covered  withdalilias,  rhododendrons,  geruniams, 
and  other  plants  of  the  most  Neleot  Iciud — the  whole  forming,  when  in  bloom, 
a  circle  of  floral  magnificence.  A  short  and  narrow  path,  just  large  enough 
to  admit  of  the  passage  of  one  person  at  a  time,  led  to  the  entrance  of  the 
gammer-house,  which,  facing  the  gate,  was  also  shaded  from  the  light  and 
heat  of  the  sun's  rays,  by  closely  interlacing  vines.  ""  '"  '        ""'■ 

At  the  bottom  of  this  artificial  mound,  and  near  the  pathway,  a  small 
apnd,  such  as  is  u^ed  for  pruning,  was  stuck  into  some  earth,  newly  drawn 
ronnd  a  splendid  tiger  lily,  and  on  the  handle  of  thu  spnd,  were  loosely 
thrown  a  white  silk  jacket,  a  blue  velvet  cap,  and  a  light  pink  scarf — 
•videnoing  tliat  no  ordinary  gardener  had  been  that  day  employed  in  bringing 
Into  new  life  the  gorgeous  beauties  of  tlie  variegated  pairterre. 

"  Little  did  I  think,"  mused  the  young  officer,  as,  leaving  bis  party  at  tb» 
gate,  and  hastening  towards  the  cottage,  hia  eye  fell  upon  those  articles  of 
dress — '^  little  did  I  imagine  when  I  threw  off  these  things  a  few  hours  since, 
to  obey  a  summons  to  the  Fort,  that  on  my  return  to  them,  it  would  be  with 
this  heavy  heart,  and  as  the  bearer  of  these  tidings — but  I  must  be  cautions 
in  my  disdoe^re.    Dear  girl,  here  she  is  1" 

"Why,  Bonayne,  what  in  the  name  of  Heaven  is  the  meaning  of  all  this! 
Are  you  here  to  take  the  oastle  by  storm,  with  all  these  armed  warriors  t 
A  few  hours  since  yon  were  a  man  of  peace,  and  now  I  behold  in  you  4 
most  approved  and  valiant  knight  of  the  true  American  school.  Sword  ^ 
cap,  feather,  epaulet,  blue  bro^d-cloth,  and  silver.  Well  it  must  be  confeused 
that  yon  are  not  a  bad  imitation  of  a  soldier,  in  that  garb,  and  it  is  in  pity 
to  mOi  I  inppose,  that  you  do  not  wear  it  oftener.  But  seriously,  Harry,  do 
satisfy  my  curiosity,  and  tell  me  the  reason  of  this  unusual  manner  of  visit  I" 

The  question  was  asked  playfully,  but  in  tones  replete  with  sweetness,  by 
a  tall  and  elegantly-formed  g^rl,  who  on  turning  the  further  circle  of  tha 
walkf  in  her  approach  to  her  favorite  floWer-bed,  had  for  the  first  time, 
beheld  the  young  officer,  and  the  party  stationed  at  the  gate. 

'^  Nay,  dear  Maria,"  returned  the  youtli,  deeply  grieved  at  the  thought  of 
casting  a  gloom  over  the  spirits  of  her  who  thus  rallied  him.  "  I  atn  sorry 
to  say  my  errand  is  not  one  of  mere  parade-^I  have  come  to  announce  that 
which  will  give  yon  pain ;  and  but  that  I  am  charged  with  the  agreeable 
duty  of  making  you  a  prisonti,',  I  never  should  have  had  the  courage  to  be 
the  bearer  of  the  Intelligence." 

Miss  Hey  wood  turned  very  pale,  less  at  the  words  even  than  at  the  man- 
ner of  the  yonng  officer,  who  it  was  evident,  felt  all  the  wdght  of  the  task 
.     h«  had  undertaken. 
a}i.v.  **Boaayne,**  she  said,  her  voioe  suddenly  ainuning  %  rieh  melancholy  of 


remc 

"he 
reset] 
stroni 

n 

no  oil 
amsti 
TY 

"W€ 

encoil 


TBB    PALL    or    CHIOAGO. 


intonation,  In  strango  contrast  with  her  first  address,  "  there  is  more  in  this 
than  you  would  acquaint  me  with.  But  tell  ine,"  and  Hhe  fixed  her  larg« 
dark  eyes  on  his—"  tell  me  all.  Wliat  pain  is  it  you  fear  to  occasion  me,  aod 
how  is  it  connected  with  my  being  a  prisoner?  IIii!"  and  she  grasped  his 
arm,  and  betrayed  deep  agitation — "surely  nothing  iu  my  fatiier's  con- 
dnct " 

"  No,  no,  Maria,"  returned  the  youtli,  quiclily,  ''  far  from  anything  of  the 
kind,  and  yet  it  is  of  your  father  I  would  spealt.  Hut  iiave  you  heard 
nothing  since  I  left  you.     Have  you  seen  no  one  ?" 

"  I  have  heard  nothing — seen  not  a  soul  from  without,"  slie  answered,  as 
he  tenderly  pressed  tiie  liand  lie  had  taken — "  But,  Ronayne,"  she  pursued, 
with  melancholy  gravity — '•  a  sudden  light  dawns  upon  me — ray  heart  tells 
me  that  some  misfortune  or  otiier  has  happened,  or  is  about  to  happen — ^you 
say  you  would  speak  about  my  father.  You  are  the  bearer  of  ill-news  in 
regard  to  him.  Yes,  I  know  it  is  so ;  tell  mo,  Harry,"  and  she  looked  implor- 
ingly np  to  him,  ^^um  I  not  right? — my  father  has  been  attacked  by  Indians, 
and  he  has  fallen.     Oli  I  you  do  not  deny  it !" 

''  Nay,  dearest  M.iria,  I  know  nothing  of  the  kind,  although  I  will  not  con- 
ceal from  you  that  there  is  danger — you  have  guessed  correctly  as  to  the 
Indians  having  bten  at  the  farm,  but  little  certain  is  known  as  to  the  resnlt 
of  their  visit.  That  half  idiot  Ephraim  Giles,  has  come  in  with  some  wild 
story,  but  I  daresay  he  exaggerates." 

Miss  Heywood  shook  her  heod  doubtingly.  "  You  deceive  me,  Konayne 
— with  the  best  intention,  bat  still  you  deceive  me.  If  you  really  think  the 
rumor  be  exaggerated,  why  your  own  restlessness  and  seriousness  of  manner? 
Harry,  this  is  no  time  for  concealment,  for  I  feel  that  I  can  better  bear  the 
truth  7u>u)  than  later.    Do  not  hesitate  then  to  tell  me  all  you  know." 

*'  True,  my  love,  this  is  no  time  for  concealment  since  such  be  the  state  of . 
your  feelings.  I  was  unwilling  to  admit  my  own  apprehension  on  the  sub- 
ject, fearing  that  you  might  be  ill-prepared  for  the  disclosure ;  but  after  what 
you  have  just  urged,  the  blow  can  never  fall  less  heavily  than  now.  You 
must  know,  then,  that  a  party  of  hostile  Indians  have,  there  is  too  much 
reason  to  fear,  used  violence  towards  the  inmates  of  the  farm-house,  but  to 
what  extent  we  have  no  means  of  knowing ;  though  such  is  the  alarm 
created  by  their  presence  that  Headley,  who  you  know  is  the  very  soul  of 
caution,  has  ordered  every  white  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Fort,  to  be 
removed  for  safety  within  its  walls."  ilvi-".*,.! 

"  Would  that  instead  of  t?i,at"  remarked  Miss  Heywood,  with  solemnity, 
"he  had  despatched  those  soldiers,  whom  I  see  there  fully  armed,  to  the 
rescue  of  my  poor  father.  Perhaps  he  might  be  saved  yet — the  house  is 
strong,  and  might  be  defended  for  some  time,  even  by  a  couple  of  men."       j 

"  And  me  at  their  head.    Is  it  not  so,  Maria?"  inquired  the  youth. 

"  Yes,  and  you  at  their  head,  dear  Ronayne,"  repeated  Miss  Heywood ;  "  to 
no  one  sooner  vvouUl  I  be  indebted  for  my  father's  safety,  as  no  one  would,  I 
am  sure,  more  clieertuUy  attfljnpt  his  deliverance."  .i     ..       ,-      ,,..;- «.,i 

The  young  American  niiised  a  moment,  and  then  rejoined,  despondingly ; 
"  Were  these  men  at  my  di^^posal,  Maria,  how  gladly  would  I  hasten  to 
encounter  every  difficulty,  the  removal  of  which  would  spare  your  gentle 


54 


BARDSORABBLE  ;     OR, 


^ 
|l'.:« 


'.*  ! 


boBoin  those  pangs ;  but  you  know  ITeadley  would  never  permit  it.  Hit 
prudence  is  a  mania,  and  even  were  he  to  yield  Iiis  consent — let  me  not  boi*, 
tain  you  witli  delusive  liopes— I  fear  it  would  be  too  late."  '•  J. 

"  God's  will  be  done,"  she  ejaculated,  a«  the  large  tears  fel  tri«kling 
down  her  pallid  cheeki*,  ^'  hut  what  will  become  of  uiy  poor  and  now 
nearly  death-stricken-raother,  when  slie  hears  of  this?" 

"  The  blow  is  indeed  a  fearful  one,  but  act,  I  pray  you,  witl  o«urage. 
Consider,  too,  your  own  safety.  No  one  knows  the  force  of  the  Indians,  or 
how  soon  tliey  may  be  here.  Go  in,  dearest,  prepare  wliat  you  may 
more  immediately  require  for  a  few  days,  and  my  men  will  carry  your 
trunks  down  to  the  scow  which  is  waiting  to  receive  you." 

'*  Aud  if  I  should  consent  to  go,  Ronayne,  you  know  my  poor  mother  can- 
BOt  rise  from  her  bed.  "What  do  you  propose  to  do  with  her?  To  remove 
her,  and  let  her  know  tehy  she  is  removed,  would  soon  finish  the  work  her 
debilitating  ^sease  has  begun." 

"I  have  made  every  necessary  provision,"  answered  the  young  oflSoer, 
^d  to  find  that  her  thoughts  could  be  diverted  from  the  immediate  source 
of  her  sorrow.  '^  Elrasley's  wife,  to  w^om  I  spoke  a  few  hurried  words  on 
leaving,  is  even  now  preparing  for  your  temporary  reception,  aud  I  have 
thought  of  an  excuse  to  be  given  to  your  mother.  You  must  for  onee  in 
your  life  use  deceit,  and  say  that  Van  Vottenberg  desires  her  presence  in  the 
fort,  because  Ida  duties  have  become  so  severe  that  he  can  no  longer  absent 
himself  to  bestow  upon  her  that  professional  care  she  so  much  requires. 
Nay,  look  not  so  inoreduloas.  I  am  aware  that  the  pretext  is  a  meagre  one, 
but  I  cannot  at  present  think  of  a  better ;  and  in  her  enfeebled  state  she  will 
not  dwell  upon  the  strangeness  of  the  plea.  Go  on  then,  I  entreat  you,  and 
desire  Catherine  to  collect  what  you  will  want,  while  my  men  carry  to  the 
■cow  such  articles  of  furniture  as  will  be  most  useful  to  you  in  your  new 
quarters,  ^uick,  dear  Maria,  I  implore  you,  there  has  already  been  too 
much  time  lost,  and  I  expect  every  moment  an  order  from  Headley  to  returx 
immediately." 

Sensible  of  a  pressing  emergency,  Miss  Heywood,  with  a  beating  heart, 
regained  the  cottage,  in  which  so  many  blissful  hours  had  been  passed 
-within  the  last  two  years,  undisturbed  by  a  care  for  the  future,  while  the 
young  officer  joining  his  men,  left  one  to  take  care  of  the  arms  of  the 
party,  and  with  the  remainder  hastened  to  the  iionse  making  as  little  noise  as 
possible,  in  order  not  to  disturb  the  invalid.  Having  chosen  sach  articles 
of  furniture  as  'lie  knew  Mrs.  Elmsley  was  most  deficient  in,  and  among 
these  a  couch  and  a  couple  of  easy-chairs  (which  latter  indeed  were  the 
work  of  his  own  hands),  they  were  conveyed  to  the  scow  in  two  trips, 
and  then  followed  three  or  four  trunks  into  which  had  been  thrown,  without 
regard  to  order,  such  wearing  apparel,  and  necessaries  of  the  toilet  as  the 
short  period  allowed  for  preparation  had  permitted  tlie  agitated  girl  to  put 
together.  The  most  delicate  part  of  the  burden,  however,  yet  remained  to 
be  removed,  and  that  was  the  invalid  herself.  Desiring  his  men  to  remain 
-without^  the  youth,  whose  long  and  close  intimacy  with  the  family  rendered 
snch  a  step  by  no  means  objectionable,  entered  the  apartment  of  Mrs.  Hey- 
wood,  who  had  already  been  prepared  by  her  daughter  for  the  removal,  and 


t 


t 


TIIK    KALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


with  the  assirttanco  of  Catherine  ralseil  the  hed  on  which  slie  lay,  and  trttD»> 
ferred  it  to  a  Utter  bronght  for  the  occasion.  Thin  they  carefully  bor« 
through  the  suite  of  small  tind  intervening  rooms  to  the  front,  where  two  of 
the  men  relieved  thoin,  Catherine  walkinfj;  iit,  tlie  side,  mil  unnecessarily 
enjoining  caution  at  t<very  step. 

"This  i«,  indeed,  an  unex,iected  cliange,  Ronayne,"  said  Mian  Hoy  wood, 
Badly,  '*  but  this  fuorning,  and  I  was  so  happy,  and  now  I  These  poor  flow. 
era,  too  (for  after  having  fastened  the  windows  and  doors  of  the  house, 
they  were  now  directing  their  oourne  towards  the  mound),  that  parterre 
which  cost  us  m  much  labor,  yes,  such  t^weor,  labor,  must  all  be  left  to  be 
destroyed  by  the  hand  of  some  ruthless  savage.  Yet,  what  do  I  say,"  she 
panned,  in  a  tone  of  deep  sorrow,  "I  lament  the  flowers;  yes,  Rouayne, 
because  they  have  thriven  under  your  care,  and  yet,  I  forget  that  my  father 
perhaps*  no  longer  lives ;  that  my  beloved  mother's  death  may  be  the  early 
consequence  of  this  removal.  Yet  think  me  not  selfisli.  Think  rae  not 
ungrateful.  Come  what  may,  you  will  yet  be  left  to  me.  No,  Harry,"  and 
she  looked  up  to  him  tearfully,  *'  I  shall  never  be  utterly  destitute,  while  you 
remain." 

"  Bless  you,  thrice  bless  you  for  these  sweet  avowals  of  your  oonfldenoe,'* 
exclaimed  the  youth,  suddenly  dropping  her  arm,  and  straining  her  passion- 
ately to  his  heart.  ''  Yes,  Maria,  I  shall  yet  remain  to  love,  to  cherish,  to 
make  you  forget  every  other  tie  in  that  of  husband — to  blend  every  relation- 
ship in  that  of  one."  ,  ' 

"  Nay,  Ronayne,"  she  quickly  returned,  while  the  color  mounted  vividly 
to  her  cheek,  under  the  earnest  ardor  o\  his  gaze,  "  I  would  not  now  unsay 
whbt  I  have  said,  and  yet  I  did  not  intend  that  my  words  should  exactly  bear 
that  interpretation — nor  is  this  a  moment         " 

'•  '*  But  still  yon  will  be  my  wife— tell  me,  Maria  ?"  and  he  looked  implor- 
ii^gly  into  her  own  not  averted  eyes.  "  You  will  be  the  wife,  as  yon  have 
long  been  the  friend  and  companion  of  your  Konayne — answer  rae.  Will 
you  not  ?" 

Her  head  sank  izpon  his  shoulder,  and  the  heaving  of  her  bosom,  as  she 
gently  returned  his  embrace,  alone  conveyed  the  assurance  he  desired.  She 
was  deeply  affected.  She  knew  the  ardent,  generous  nature  of  her  lover, 
and  she  felt  that  every  word  that  had  just  fallen  from  his  lips,  tended  only 
to  unravel  the  true  emotions  of  his  heart :  but  soothing  as  was  his  impas- 
sioned language,  she  deemed  it  almost  criminal,  at  such  a  moment,  to  listen 
to  it. 

"  Nay,  dearest  Harry,"  she  said,  gently  disengaging  herself  from  his 
embrace,  "  we  will  be  seen.  They  may  wonder  at  our  delay,  and  send 
somebody  back  from  the  scow.    Let  us  proceed." 

"  You  are  right,"  replied  the  young  oflScer,  again  passing  her  arm  through 
his  own,  while  they  continned  their  route,  "  excens  of  happiness  munt  not 
canse  me  to  commit  an  imprndenoe  so  great,  as  that  of  suffering  another  to 
divine  the  extent.  Yet  one  word  more,  dear  Maria  1  and  ah  I  think  how 
much  depends  u[)on  your  answer.     TFAen  shall  I  call  you  mine ?"    ^o  .-ix  < 

"  Oh !  speak  not  now  of  that,  Ronayne — consider  the  position  of  my 
father — my  mother's  health." 

"  It  is  for  that  very  reason  that  I  do  ask  it,"  returned  the  youth.    "  Should 


«• 


•^■. 


I   ; 


"5 


66 


HARDSCRIBQLE  ;    OR, 


^1 


'!*:>• 


m^ 


Heaven  deprive  you  of  the  one,  as  it  in  some  degree  threatens  you  with  the 
loss  of  the  other,  whut  shall  so  well  console  you  as  the  tenderness  u(  liim 
who  is  blessed  with  your  love?"  ,  .     ,.,r 

"Hush,  Harry,"  and  she  fondly  pressed  his  arm — "  they  will  hear  you." 

They  had  now  approiiched  the  scow,  iiiti)  which  the  uion,  having  previously 
deposited  the  furniture' and  trunks,  were  [preparing  to  embark  the  Htter  upon 
which  Mrri.  Ueywood  lay  extfiided,  with  au  expression  of  resignation  and 
repose  upon  her  calm  features,  that  touched  the  hearts  of  even  these  rude 
men.  Her  daughter,  halt-reproaching  herself  for  not  having  personally 
attended  to  her  transport,  and  only  consoled  by  the  recollection  of  the 
endearing  ezphiuation  with  her  lover,  which  had  ciianced  to  result  from  her 
absence,  now  tenderly  inquired  how  she  had  borne  it,  and  was  deeply 
gratified  to  fiud  that  the  change  of  air,  and  gentle  exercise  to  which  she  had 
been  subjected,  had  somewhat  restored  her.  Here  was  one  source  of  care 
partly  removed,  and  she  felt,  if  ]>ossible,  increased  aJBTection  for  the  youth  to 
whose  considerate  attention  was  owing  this  favorable  change  in  the  condi- 
tion of  a  parent,  whom  she  had  ever  fondly  loved. 

It  w&s  near  sunset  when  Ronayne,  who,  with  the  robust  Catherine,  had 
carefully  lifted  the  invalid  into  the  centre  of  the  scow,  reached  the  landing- 
place  below  the  Fort.  Here  were  collected  several  of  the  women  of  the 
company,  aud  among  them  Mrs.  Eltnsley,  who  Jiad  oome  down  to  meet  and 
welcome  those  for  whose  reception  she  had  made  every  provision  the 
hurried  notice  she  had  received  would  permit.  The  young  officer  had  been 
the  first  to  step  on  shore,  and  after  he  had  whispered  something  in  her  ear, 
slie  for  a  moment  communicated  with  the  group  of  women — then  advanoed 
to  meet  Miss  Heywood,  whom  her  lover  was  now  handing  from  the  scow. 
She  embraced  her  with  a  tenderness  so  unusually  affectionate,  that  a  vogne 
consciousness  of  the  true  cause  flashed  across  the  mind  of  the  anxious  girl, 
reoalling  back  all  that  inward  grief  of  soul,  which  the  deep  emotion  of  an 
engrossing  love  had  for  a  time  absorbed. 

In  less  than  half-an-hour  the  fugitives  were  installed  in  the  council  hall, 
and  in  another  small  apartment,  dividing  it  from  the  rooms  occupied  by  the 
Elmsleys.  The  ensign,  having  seen  that  all  was  arranged  in  a  suitable 
manner  in  the  former,  went  out  to  the  parade-ground,  leaving  the  ladies  in 
charge  of  their  amiable  hostess,  and  of  the  women  she  had  summoned  to 
assist  in  bearing  the  latter  into  the  Fort. 

On  his  way  to  his  rooms,  he  met  Oa[)tain  Headley  returning  from  an 
inspection  of  the  defences.  He  saluted  him,  and  was  in  the  act  of  addressing 
him  in  a  friendly  and  familiar  tone,  when  he  was  checked  by  the  sharply- 
uttered  remark : 

"  So,  sir,  you  are  returned  at  last.  It  seems  to  me  that  you  have  been 
mnch  longer  absent  than  was  necessary." 

The  high  spirit  of  the  youth  was  chafed.  "  Pardon  nie,  sir,"  he  answered 
haughtily,  "  if  I  contradict  you.  No  one  of  the  least  feeling  would  have 
thought  of  removing  sNch  an  invalid  as  Mrs.  Heywood  is,  without  using 
every  care  her  condition  reqaired.  Have  you  any  orders  for  me,  Captain 
Headley  f "  he  concluded,  in  a  more  respectful  manner,  for  he  had  become 
sensible,  the  moment  after  he  had  spoken,  of  his  error  in  thus  evincing 
asperity  under  the  reproof  of  his  superior.  ., ,,  .  .,-    ;.  ..  ..  ,  „.  ^: 


.iv 


THE     FALL    OP    CHICAGO. 


W 


.    "You  are  officer  of  the  guard,  I  believe,  Mr.  Ronayno?"        ,,  ^   ,...',^  ' 

*'  No,  sir,  Mr.  Elmsley  relieved  me  this  morning."  : ' 

At  that  moment  the  last-named  officer  came  np,  on  his  way  to  the  ensign's 
qnarters,  when,  the  same  question  having  been  put  tu  him,  and  answered  in 
tne  affirmative,  X)aptain  Headiey  desired  that  the  moment  the  Ushing-party 
came  in  they  i^^iould  be  reported  to  him.  '^And  now,  gentlemen,"  he 
concluded,  '*I;Bxpect  you  both  to  be  particularly  on  the  alert  to-night. 
The  absence  of  that  fishing-party  distresses  me,  and  I  would  give  much  tbat 
they  were  back." 

"  Captain  Headiey,"  said  the  ensign,  quickly  and  almost  beseeohiagly,, 
"  let  rae  pick  out  a  dozen  men  from  the  company,  and  I  pledge  myself  to 
restore  the  party  before  mid-day  to-morrow.  Nay,  sir,"  seeing  strong 
surprise  and  disapproval  on  the  countenance  of  the  commandant,  '^  I  am 
ready  to  forfeit  my  commission  if  I  fail——" 

*'  Are  you  mad,  Mr.  Runuyne,  or  do  you  suppose  that  I  am  mad  enough 
to  entertain  such  a  proposition,  and  thus  weaken  my  force  still  more  ? 
Forfeit  your  commission  if  you  fail  I  Why,  sir,  you  would  deserve  to  forfeit 
your  commission,  if  yon  even  succeeded  in  any  thing  so  wholly  at  variance 
with  military  prudence.  Gentlemen,  recollect  what  I  have  said— I  expect 
yon  to  use  the  utmost  vigilance  to-night,  and,  Mr.  Elmsley,  fail  not  instantly 
to  report  the  fishing-boat."  Thus  enjoining,  he  passed  slowly  An  to  his 
quarters. 

"  D-— n  your  military  prudence,  and  d  n  your  pompous  cold-blooded- 
ness t"  muttered  the  fiery  ensign  between  his  teeth— scarcely  waiting  until 
his  captain  was  out  of  hearing. 

" Hush,"  interrupted  Elmsley  in  a  whisper.  "He  will  hear  yon.  Hal" 
he  continued  after  a  short  pause,  during  which  they  moved  on  towards  the 
mess-room,  '*  you  begin  to  find  out  his  amiable  military  qualities,  do  yont 
But  tell  me,  Ronayne,  what  the  deuce  has  put  this  Quixotic  expedition  into 
yonr  head  ?  What  gteat  interest  do  yon  take  in  these  fishermen,  that  yon 
should  volunteer  to  break  your  shins  in  the  wood,  this  dark  night,  for  the 
purpose  of  seeking  them,  and  that  on  the  very  day  when  your  ladye  fair« 
honors  these  walls,  if  I  may  so  dignify  our  stockade,  with  iier  presence  for 
the  flrst  time.  Oome,  come,  thank  Headiey  for  hia  refusal.  When  you  sit 
down  to-morro  .norning,  ap  J  intend  you  shall,  to  a  luxurious  breakfast  of 
tea,  coffee,  fried  venison,  and  buokwheat-cakes,  you  will  find  no  reason  to 
complain  of  his  adherence  to  military  prudence." 

"  Elmsley,"  returned  his  friend,  seriously,  "  I  can  have  no  disguise  from 
yon  at  such  a  moment.  Tou  know  my  regard  for  Maria  Hey  wood,  although 
you  cannot  divine  its  depth,  and  could  I  but  be  the  means  of  saving  her 
father,  you  caft  well  understand  the  joy  I  should  feel." 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  fellow,  but  you  know  as  well  as  myself,  that  there 
exists  not  the  shadow  of  a  hope  of  trhls.  That  scarecrow,  Giles,  half-witted 
as  he  is,  tells  too  straightforward  a  story." 

'*  Elmsley,"  persisted  his  friend,  "  there  is  every  hope — every  reasonable 
expectation  that  he  may  yet  survive.  Maria  herself  first  opened  my  eyes  to 
the  possibility,  for,  nntil  then,  I  had  thought  as  you  do;  and  deeply  did  her 
words  sink  in  my  heart,  when  she  said,  reproaoiifully,  that,  instead  of  sending 
a  party  to  escort  her,  it  wonld  have  been  far  better  to  dispatch  them  to  the 
farm,  wliere  iier  tatlier  mi;>lit,  at  that  moment,  be  sustaining  a  siege — the 
house  being  strong  enougli  to  admit  of  u  temporary  defence,  by  even  a 
couple  of  persons." 

"  And  what  said  you  to  that?" 

'*  What  could  I  say  ?  I  looked  like  a  fool,  and  felt  like  a  school-boy  under 
the  iron  rod  of  a  pedagogue — but  I  resolved." 

*'  And  wliiit  did  you  resolve,  my  enterprising  kn'Kjhl  errunt  ?" 

'*  You  have  just  heard  my  proposal  to  tlie  gentleman  who  piques  him* 
self  upon  his  military  prudence."  returned  the  youtli,  with  bitter  irony. 


?  ■«  ^\ 


Yes,  and  ho  refused  you.     What  then  ?' 
"True,  and  what  then,"  and  ho  nodded  his  head  iiniiatiotitly, 


:ill.M 


M 


'.•».'    ' 

M.I- 


UAROSCRABBLE  ;     OR, 


m 


"  You  will  sleep  upon  it,  my  dear  fellow,  after  we  liave  had  a'  glass  of  th« 
MoDongaiiela,  and  the  pipe.  Thus  refreshed,  you  will  think  better  of  it  in 
the  morning." 

"  We  will  have  the  Monongabela  and  the  pipe,  for  truly  I  feel  that  I 
require  something  to  soothe,  if  not  abisolutely  to  exhilarate  me  ;  but  no  sleep 
for  me  this  night.  Elmsley,"  he  added,  more  seriously,  "you  will  pass  me 
out  of  the  gate?" 

"  Pass  you  out  of  what  I"  exclaimed  the  other,  starting  from  the  chair  oa 
which  he  had  thrown  himself  only  the  moment  before.  "  What  do  you 
mean,  man?" 

"  I  mean  that,  as  officer  of  the  guard,  you  alone  can  pass  me  through  after 
4ark,  and  this  service  you  must  render  me." 

"  Why  I  where  are  you  going  ?  Single-handed  like  Jack  the  Giant  Killer  to 
deliver,  not  a  beautiful  damsel  from  the  fangs  of  a  winged  monster,  but  a 
toagh  old  backwoodsman  from  the  dark  paws  of  tlie  savage  ?" 

'*  Elmsley,"  again  urged  the  ensign,  "  you  forget  t^aUMr.  Hey  wood  is  t'he 
father  of  my  future  wife." 

"Ah I  is  it  come  to  that  at  last.  Well,  I  am  riglit  glad  of  it.  But,  my 
dear  Bonayne,"  taking  and  cordially  pressing  his  hand,  •*■  forgive  my  levity. 
I  only  sought  to  divert  you  from  your  purpose.  What  I  can  do  for  you,  I 
will  do ;  bat  tell  me  what  it  is  you  intend." 

"  Yet,  Elmsley,  before  we  enter  further  into  tlie  matter,  do  you  not  think 
that  you  will  incur  the  serious  displeasure  of  Military  Prudence  ?" 

"  If  he  discovers  that  you  are  gone,  certainly ;  and  1  cannot  see  how  it  caa 
be  otherwise ;  he  will  be  in  the  fidgets  all  night,  and  probably  ask  for  yoa ; 
bat  even  if  not  then,  he  will  miss  you  on  parade  in  the  morning." 

"And  what  will  be  the  consequence  to  you?  Answer  me  candidly,  I 
entreat." 

"  Then,  candidly,  Bonayne,  the  captain  likes  me  not  well  enough  to  pass 
lightly  over  such  a  breach  of  duty.  The  most  peremptory  orders  have,  since 
the  arrival  of  this  startling  news,  been  given  not  to  allow  any  one  to  leave 
the  fort,  and  (since  you  wish  me  to  be  sincere)  should  I  allow  you  to  pass, 
it  will  go  hard  with  my  commission." 

"  How  foolish  of  me  not  to  have  thought  of  that  before  I  How  utterly 
stapid  to  ask  that  which  I  ought  to  have  known  myself;  but  enough,  Elms- 
ley. I  abandon  the  scheme  altogether.  You  shall  never  incur  tliat  risk  for 
me." 

"  Yet  understan<]  me,"  resumed  the  otlier,  "  if  you  really  think  that  there 
is  a  hope  of  its  proving  more  than  a  mere  wild  goose  chase,  I  will  cheerfully 
incur  that  risk ;  but  on  my  honor,  Bonayne,  I  myself  feel  convinced  that 
nothing  you  can  do  will  avail." 

"Not  another  word  on  the  subject,"  answereti  his  friend;  "here  is  what 
will  banish  wll  care,  at  least  for  the  present." 

His  servant  had  just  entered,  and  deposited  on  the  mess-table  hot  and  cold 
water,  sugar,  lime-juice,  pipes,  tobacco,  and  tumblers  ;  when  the  two  officers 
with  Von  Vottenberg  who  had  just  come  in  frou  visiting  Mr.  Heywood,  sat 
down  to  indulge  tliei:-  social  humors.  Whilst  the  latter,  according  to  cus- 
tom, mixed  the  punch,  which  when  made  was  pronounced  to  be  ids  chef 
tPauvre,  Elmsley  amused  himself  with  curting  up  the  tobacco,  and  filling  the 
pipes.  The  en.-ign,  taking  advantage  of  their  occupation,  indulged  himself 
in  a  reverie  tliat  lusted  until  the  beverage  had  been  declared  ready. 

The  presence  of  the  doctor,  acting  as  a  check  ti|)()ii  the  lurthor  allusion  by 
the  friends  to  the  topic  that  had  hitherto  engrossed  their  at  ten;  ion,  the 
little  conversation  that  ensued  was  of  a  general  nature,  neiilier  of  them, 
however,  cared  miioli  to  contribute  to  it,  so  that  the  doctor  Ibimd  and  pro- 
nounced them  for  that  evening  anythiiii^  but  entertaining  companions.  He, 
however,  oonoolc  1  himself  with  coi»ious  potations  from  the  puuoh-l)owl,  and 
611ed  the  room  with  dense  clouds  of  smoke,  that  were  in  themselves,  suffi- 
cient to  produce  tlie  drowsiness  that  Bonayne  pleaded  in  excuse  of  his  taci* 
tornity. 


THE     FALL    OV     CHICAGO. 


59 


After  hia  seooad  glass,  Eltnsley,  reminding  the  eiisign  that  be  erpeoted 
him  as  well  as  the  ponch-brewer  to  breakfast  with  him  in  the  raorniDg  at 
eight  o'clock  precisely,  took  his  departure  for  the  guard  room,  for  the 


CHAPTER  VIII.  '•'-       '^ 

It  \v;is  about  seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  succeeding  the  occurrences 
detailed  in  the  preceding  chapters,  that  Lieutenant  Elmsley  .waited  on  the 
commanding  officer,  to  relate  that  the  fishing  boat  was  at  length  in  sight. 
These  tidings  wore  communicated  as  Onptain  Headley  was  preparing  to  sit 
down  to  breakfast — a  refreshment,  to  which  the  fatigue  of  mind  and  body 
he  had  undergone  during  the  night  had  not  a  little  disposed  hiTi.  True, 
however,  to  his  character,  he  stayed  not  fur  the  meal,  but  instantly  arose,  and 
taking  his  telescope  accompanied  the  subaltern  to  the  flagstaff  battery,  whence 
the  best  view  of  the  river  was  commanded. 

"  Any  thing  to  report,  Mr.  Elmsley ;  but  I  presume  not,  or  it  scarcely 
would  have  been  necessary  for  me  to  ask  the  question  ?" 

''  Nothing,  sir,  of  any  consequence,*'  replied  the  lieutenant  after  a  moment's 
hesitation,  '*  beyond  a  slight  altercation  that  took  place  between  a  drnnkea 
Pottowattamie  and  the  sergeant  of  the  guard — but  it  was  of  a  nature  too 
trivial  to  disturb  you  about." 

"  What  was  it,  Mr.  Elmsley  f "  inquired  his  superior,  abruptly  turning  to 
him. 

"  The  Indian  who  had  probably  been  lying  dead  drunk  during  the  day 
within  the  Fort,  and  had  evidently  just  awakened  from  his  sleep,  was  anxi* 
ous  to  go  to  his  encampment,  but  the  sergeant,  strictly  obeying  the  order  ho 
had  received  from  me,  refused  to  open  the  gate,  which  seemed  to  annoy  the 
Indian  very  much.  At  that  moment  I  came  up.  I  knew  well  of  course  that 
the  order  was  not  meant  to  extend  rigidly  to  our  Indian  friends,  the  great 
mass  of  whom  might  be  offended  by  the  detention  of  one  of  their  number, 
and  I  defired  the  sergeant  to  pass  him  through.     Was  I  right,  sir?" 

'*  Perfectly,  Mr.  Elmsley ;  we  must  not  offend  those  of  the  Indian  tribes 
that  are  disposed  to  be  friendly  toward, us,  for  no  one  knows  how  soon  wo 
may  require  their  aid.  The  official  advices  I  have  received  not  only  from 
Detroit  but  from  Washington  are  of  a  nature  to  ii  duce  apprehension  of  hos- 
tilities between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States ;  therefore,  it  would,  as 
you  justly  observe,  and  just  now  particularly,  be  extremely  bad  policy  to 
offend  those  whom  it  is  so  much  our  interest  to  conciliate.  Still  you  ought 
to  have  reported  the  circumstance  to  me,  and  not  acted  on  your  own  respon- 
sih'M.ty." 

Lieutenant  Elmsley  bit  his  lip,  and  eould  scaicely  control  a  movement  of 
impatience.  "  I  am  glad,  however,  sir,"  lie  resumed  after  a  pause,  "  that 
you  find  no  fault  with  my  conduct ;  T  confess  I  had  some  little  uneasiness  on 
that  score,  for  with  you  I  felt  tliat  I  had  no  right  to  assume  the  responsibil- 
ity, but  I  kn6w  that  you  had  retired  to  your  rooms,  and  I  was  unwilling  to 
disturb  you." 

"  You  ought  to  liave  known,  Mr.  Elmsley,  that  where  duty  is  concerned 
I  can  never  be  disturbed.  However,  no  matter.  What  you  did  was  cor- 
rectly done;  only  in  future,  fail  not  to  make  your  report.  The  slightest 
unauthorized  step  might  be  a  false  one,  and  that,  under  all  the  circumstances, 
is  to  be  avoided." 

Whatever  tiie  subaltern  thought  of  the  seeming  self-sufficiency  which  had 
dictated  tlie  concluding  part  of  the  lecture  of  the  commanding  officer,  ho 
made  no  further  observation,  and  both  in  silence  pursued  the  remainder  of 
their  short  route  to  the  bastion. 

Many  of  the  men,  dressed  and  accoutred  for  the  morning  parade,  which 
asually  took  place  at  about  nine  o'clock,  were  {jjrouped  around,  and  anxiously 
watching  the  approach  of  the  boat,  AS  of  sometliing  they  had  despaired  of 


111 


60 


HAROSORABBLB  ;    OR, 


Ij ' .;-. 


'4  • 


ever  again  beholding.  Captain  Headley  drew  his  telescope  to  the  proper 
focus,  and  after  looking  through  it  a  few  minutes — remarked— 

'*  Thank  Heaven,  all  is  right — they  are  all  there,  although  it  is  quite  unao* 
countable  to  me  how  they  could  have  been  detained  until  this  morning. 
And,  oh  I  it  seems  they  have  taken  a  heavy  draught  of  fish,  for,  although  X 
cannot  see  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  their  feet  are  raised  as  if  to  prevent 
crushing  or  injuring  something  beneath  them.  But  hold  I  there  is  something 
wrong,  too.  I  do  not  see  the  usual  number  of  muskets  piled  in  the  stern. 
How  can  this  be,  Mr.  Elmsley  ?" 

'*  Perhaps  tjiere  is  not  the  same  number  of  men,"  suggested  the  lieutenant 
— '*  some  of  them,  for  causes  connected  with  their  detention,  may  be  coming 
by  land." 

"Not  at  all.  There  are  seven  men.  I  think  seven  men  compose  the 
fishing  party;  do  they  not?" 

"  Six  men,  besides  the  non-commissioned  officer ;  yes,  sir." 

"  I  can  make  out  Corporal  Nixon,  for  he  is  steering  and  facing  me,  but  for 
the  others,  I  do  not  know  them  well  enough  to  distinguish.  Here,  Mr. 
Elmsley,  take  the  glass,  and  try  what  you  can  make  of  them." 

The  lieutenant  gazed  through  the  glass  a  moment,  and  then  pronounced 
name  after  name,  as  the  men  severally  came  under  the  range  of  the. lens. 
"Yes,  sir,  as  you  say,  there  is  Corporal  Nixon  steering — then,  with  their 
backs  to  ns,  and  pulling,  are  first,  Collins,  then  Greeff,  then  Jackson,  then 
Weston,  then  Cass,  and  then  Philips.  But  what  they  have  in  the  bottom 
of  the  boat,  for  I  now  can  see  thai  plain  enough,  is  not  fish,  sir,  but  a  human 
body,  and  a  dog  crouched  at  its  side.  Yes !  it  is  indeed  the  Frenchman's 
dog — Loup  Garou." 

"Well,  I  want  to  know  I"  exclaimed  Ephraim  Giles,  who  had  ascended 
the  bastion,  and  now  stood  amid  the  group  of  men,  ''  I  take  it,  that  if 
that's  Loup  Garou,  his  master  can't  be  far  off.  I  never  knowed  them  to  be 
separate." 

"  Yes,  sic,  that  is  certainly  a  dead  body,"  pursued  the  lieutenant — "  some- 
body killed  at  the  farm,  no  doubt.  Have  you  any  orders  for  the  direction 
of  the  party,  when  they  land,  sir  ?"  he  inquired,  as  he  handed  back  the  glass 
to  the  captain. 

"  Just  desire  the  drum  to  beat  to  parade,"  was  the  answer.  "  It  wants 
only  a  few  minutes  of  guard-mounting,  and  by  the  time  the  men  have  fallen 
in,  and  the  roll  is  called,  the  boat  will  be  here.    Where  is  Mr.  Bonayne  ?" 


not  seen  him  this  morning. 
He,  however,  knows  the 


sir,  but  believe  that  he  is  in  his 


hour,  and  doubtless  will  be  here 


"I  have 
own  rooms, 
presently." 

"  When  the  men  have  fallen  in,  come  and  report  to  me,"  said  the  captain, 
as  he  descended  from  the  bastion,  and  proceeded  to  his  own  quarters,  to  eat 
fais  untasted  breakfast. 

The  lieutenant  touched  his  cap  in  assent,  and  then,  having  despatched  a 
man  with  orders  to  the  temporary  drutn-raajor,  crossed  over  to  the  apart- 
ments of  the  ensign,  anxious  not  only  to  excuse  himself  for  not  being  able 
to  receive  his  friend  to  his  own  breakfast,  at  tiie  hour  he  had  named,  but  to 
prepare  him  for,  the  reception  of  the  body  of  Mr.  Fleywood,  which  he 
doubted  not,  was  that  now  on  its  way  for  interment  ut  his  own  liouse. 

On  entering  the  niess-rooin,  in  which  they  had  taken  tlieir  puncli,  the 
preyious  evenini;,  everything  bore  evidence  of  a  Itvto  debauch.  Ashes  and 
toljacco  were  liberally  strewed  upon  the  table,  while  around  the  empty 
bowl,  were,  in  some  disorder,  pipes  and  glasses — one  ot  eaoii  ein[)tied  of  all 
but  the  aslies  and  sediment — tlie  other  two  only  hali'-simikoil,  hult'-full,  and 
standing  amid  a  pool  of  wet,  which  had  evidently  lieeii  spilL  by  a  not;  very 
steady  hand.  The  windows  were  closed,  so  that  the  smoko  clung  to  what 
little  furniture  there  wa^*  in  the  room,  and  the  whole  soent  of  the  place  was 
an  abominable  compound  of  stale  tobacco  and  strong  whisky. 

A  loud  snoring  in  the  room  on  his  right  attracted  his  attention.  He  knew 
that  it  was  Von  Vottenberg's,  and  he  entered  to  see  what  had  kept  him  in 
bed  nntil  tliat  latij  hour.    Tiie  surgeon,  only  half  undressed,  wua  tnst  asleep, 


! 


THE    FALL    OF    OBICikOO. 


61 


' 


•'*?» 


not  within^  but  an  the  outside  of  the  bed-olothes.  Somewhat  disgosted  at 
the  sight,  tor  Elmsley  was  oomparatirely  abstemioas,  he  shook  him  not  Ynj 
gently,  when  the  doctor,  opening  his  eyes  with  a  start,  half-rose  upon  his 
elbow.  ^^Hal"  he  exclaimed,  '*!  know  you  mean  to  say  that  breakfast  is 
waiting ;  I  had  forgotten  all  about  it,  old  fellow." 

"  I  mean  nothing  of  the  kind,"  was  the  reply,  "  but  I  recommend  yon  to 
lose  no  time  in  dressing  and  turning  out.  The  men  are  already  on  parade, 
end  if  Captain  Headley,  dnding  that  you  are  absent,  sends  over  here  to 
inquire  the  cause,  I  would  not  give  much  for  your  future  chances  of  swal- 
lowing wliisky-punch  within  the  walls  of  Chicago." 

'^£h?  what!  what!"  spluttered  the  surgeon,  as  he  jomped  up,  drew  on 
his  boots,  dipped  his  face  in  a  basin  of  water,  and  hastily  oon;ipleted  his 
toilet.    In  less  than  five  minutes  he  was  on  parade. 

Meanwhile,  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  after  giving  this  warning,  had  paned 
regain  through  tiie  mess-room,  and  knocked  at  Ronayne's  door.  But  there 
was  no  answer. 

"  Hilloa,  Bonayne,"  he  called  loudly,  as  he  turned  the  handle  of  the  latch, 
"  are  you  in  bed  too  ?" 

But  no  Bonayne  was  there.  He  looked  at  the  bed — like  the  doctor's,  it 
jhad  been  laid  upon,  but  no  one  had  been  within  the  clothes. 

What  was  the  meaning  of  this  ?  After  a  few  moments  of  delay,  he  flew 
hack  to  Yon  Yottenberg's  room,  but  the  latter  was  already  gone.  Betraoing 
his  steps,  he  met  Bonayne 's  servant  entering  at  the  meas-room  door. 

'^  Where  is  your  master  ?"  he  inquired.  "  How  is  it  that  he  is  not  iu  his 
room — has  not  been  in  bed  9" 

'*  Not  been  in  bed  t"  repeated  the  lad,  with  su; prise.  ^*  Why,  sir,  he  told 
me  last  night  that  he  was  very  drowsy  and  shonld  lie  late;  and,  that  he 
mightn't  be  disturbed,  be  desired  me  to  sleep  in  one  of  the  block-houses.  I 
was  only  to  wake  him  in  time  for  guard-mounting,  and  as  it  wants  but  ten 
minutes  to  that,  I  am  just  come  to  call  him." 

^^  Clean  out  the  mess-room  directly — open  the  windows,  »ud  put  every 
ithing  in  order,"  said  the  lieutenant,  fearing  that  Captain  Headley  might,  on 
hearing  of  the  absence  of  the  young  officer,  pay  his  quarters  a  visit  in  search 
of  some  clue  to  the  cause.  '■''  I  see  it  all,"  he  mused,  as  ho  moved  across  the 
parade-ground.  ^*  He  would  not,  generous  fellow,  get  me  into  a  scrape,  by 
making  me  privy  to  his  design,  and  to  avoid  the  difficulty  of  the  gate,  has 
got  over  Che  pickets  somewhere — yet,  if  so,  he  must  have  had  a  rope,  and 
;as8istance  of  some  kind,  for  he  never  could  have  crossed  them  without. 
Yet,  wliere  can  he  be  gone,  and  what  could  he  have  expected  to  result  from 
his  mad  scheme  ?  Had  he  waited  until  now,  he  would  have  known  by  the 
arrival  of  the  fishing- party  with  their  sad  charge,  how  utterly  useless  was 
1411  this  risk." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Elmsley,"  said  the  captain,  who  now  appeared  at  the  front 
of  his  own  door,  fully  dressed  for  parade,  and  preparing  to  issue  forth  in  all 
the  stateliness  of  conimand. 

''  The  parade  is  formed,  sir,"  remarked  the  lieutenant,  confusedly,  "  but  I 
cannot  find  the  officer  of  the  guard."  * 

"  Sir  1"  exclaimed  Captain  Headley. 

"  I  cannot  find  Mr.  Bonayne,  sir — I  have  myself  been  over  to  his  quarters, 
and  looked  into  his  bed-room,  but  it  is  clear  that  he  has  not  been  in  bed  all 
night." 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  all  tlili  ?  Sond  Doctor  Von  Vottenberg  here 
immediately." 

And  lucky  was  it  for  that  gentleman  that  the  officer  who  now  desired 
his  attendance  on  the  coniniaudant  had  roused  him  from  that  Lethean 
slumber  in  which  he  had  been,  only  a  tew  minutes  before,  so  luxuriously 
indulging. 

"  Doctor  Von  Vottenberg,"  commenced  the  captain,  as  soim  as  that 
official  made  his  appearance  before  him;  '^yon  are  quartered  wdth  Mr. 
Bonayne.  Have  you  seen  any  thing  of  him  last  night  or  this  morning — no 
evasion,  nay,"  seeing  that  the  doctor's  brow  began  to  be  overclouded,  "  I 


m 


m 


IK" 


ID)'  ■' 

m 

,  Is':*: 


62  HARDSCIUBBLB  ;    OR, 

mean  no  attempt  to  shield  the  youDg  man  by  a  suppression  of  the 
truth." 

"  I  certainly  saw  him  last  night  Captain  Headley,  but  not  at  a  very  late 
hour.  We  took  a  glass  or  two  of  punch,  and  smoked  a  couple  of  pipes 
together,  but  we  both  went  to  bed  early,  and  for  my  part,  I  know  that  I 
slept  80  soundly  as  to  have  heard  nothing — seen  nothing,  until  I  got  up  this 
morning." 

The  doctor  spoke  truly  as  to  the  time  of  their  retirement  to  rest,  for  the 
ensign  had  left  him  early  in  the  night,  while  he  had  found  hia  way  to  hia  own 
bed,  early  in  the  morning. 

**  The  boat  is  nearing  the  landing-place,  sir,"  reported  the  sergeant  of 
the  guard,  who  now  came  up,  and  more  immediately  addressed  Lieutenant 
Elmsley. 

This  information,  for  the  moment,  banished  the  subject  under  discussion. 
*'  Let  the  men  pile  their  arms,"  ordered  Oaptain  Headley ;  '*  and  when  this  ia 
done,  Mr.  Elmsley,  follow  me  to  the  landing-pl:»oe." 

In  a  few  minutes  both  oflScers  were  there.  The  boat  was  within  fifty 
yards,  when  the  subaltern  joined  his  captain ;  and  the  oarsmen,  evidently 
desirous  of  doing  their  best  in  the  presence  of  the  commanding  officer,  were 
pulling  silently  and  with  a  vigor  that  soon  brought  it  to  its  accustomed 
berth. 

"  What  body  is  that,  Corporal  Nixon  ?"  inquired  the  latter,  "and  how  is  it 
that  you  are  only  here  this  morning  f " 

"  Sir,"  answered  the  corporal,  removing  one  of  his  hands  from  the  steer- 
oar,  and  respectfully  touching  liis  cap,  "  it's  poor  Le  Noir,  the  Frenchman, 
killed  by  the  Iiijins  yesterday,  and  as  for  our  absence,  it  couldn't  be  helped, 
•ir;  but  it's  a  long  report  I  have  to  make,  and  perhaps,  captain,  you  would 
like  to  hear  it  more  at  leisure  than  I  can  tell  it  here." 

By  this  time  the  men  had  landed  from  the  boat,  leaving  the  Canadian  to 
be  disposed  of  afterwards  as  the  commanding  officer  might  direct.  The 
quick  eye  of  the  latter  immediately  detected  the  slight  limping  of  Green, 
whose  wound  had  become  stiff  from  neglect,  cold,  and  the  cramped  position 
in  which  he  had  been  sitting  in  the  boat. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  this  man  t"  he  inquired  of  the  corporal.  "  What 
makes  him  walk  so  stifly  t" 

"  Nothing  much  the  matter,  captain,"  was  the  indifferent  reply.  "  It's 
only  a  ball  he  got  in  his  leg  in  the  scrimmage  last  night." 

"  Ha  I  the  first  gun-shot  wound  that  has  come  under  my  treatmnt  during 
the  three  long  years  I  have  been  stationed  here.  Quick,  my  fine  fellow,  take 
yourself  to  the  hospital,  and  tell  the  orderly  to  prepare  my  instruments  for 
probing." 

**■  Scrimmage  last  night ;  what  do  you  mean,  Corporal  Nixon — whom  had 
you  the  scrimmage  with  t" 

These  remarks  fell  at  the  same  moment  from  the  lips  of  the  commander 
and  those  of  the  surgeon,  the  latter  rubbing  his  hands  with  delightful  antici- 
pation of  tlie  treat  in  store  for  him. 

"  With  the  Indians,  captain,"  replied  Nixon  ;  "  the  Indians  that  attacked 
Mr.  Heywood's  farm." 

"  Captain  Headley,"  interrupted  the  lieutenant,  with  unusual  dei  ■  uce  of 
manner,  for  he  was  anxious  that  no  further  reference  should  be  made  to  the 
subject  in  presence  of  the  invalids  and  women,  who,  attracted  by  the  news 
of  the  arrival  of  the  boat,  had  gathered  around,  partly  from  curiosity,  partly 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  their  expected  supply  of  fish,  "do  you  not  think 
it  better  to  examine  Corporal  Nixon  first,  and  then  the  otliers  in  turn?" 

"  Very  true,  Mr.  Elmsley,  I  will  examine  them  separately  in  the  orderly- 
room  to  see  how  far  their  statements  agree;  yet,  one  question  you  can 
answer  here,  corporal.  Yoii  say  that  it  is  tliebody  of  Le  Noir,  killed  by 
the  Indians,    Where  is  Mr.  Hey  wood,  then?" 

The  generous  Elmsley  felt  faint,  absolutely  sick  at  heart  on  hearing  this 
question;  the  very  object  he  had  in  view  in  proposing  this  private  examinup 
tion  was  thereby  threatened  with  discomfiture.  " i-'.*-'t  .•'^■tiAya 


THK     rAIX    OF    CBIOAOO. 


68 


"Mr,  Hey  wood  lias  been  carried  off  by  the  Indiaas,"  calmly  replied  tha 
sorporal,  yet  perceptibly  paling  as  he  spoke. 

**  Indeed!  thi^i  is  unfortunate.  Let  I  lie  nieu  go  to  their  barracks,  and 
there  remain  until  I  send  for  them,"  ordered  the  cuinmaiidant.  "  You,  cor- 
poral, will  come  to  uie  at  the  orderly-ruum,  ia  lialf  an  liuiir  from  tiiis.  That 
will  be  sufficient  time  for  you  tu  clenn  yourgulf,  and  take  your  breakfast. 
None  of  your  party,  I  presume,  have  had  their  breakfast  yet?" 

*'  No,  your  honor,"  answered  Green,  who  seetned  to  fancy  that  his  wound 
gave  him  the  privilege  uf  a  little  license  in  the  presence  of  his  chief,  ''not 
anless  an  old  turkey,  the  grandfiither  oi'  fifty  broods,  and  as  tough  as  shoe- 
leather,  can  be  culled  a  breakfast." 

Oaptain  Headley  looked  nr  the  speaker  sternly,  but  took  no  other  notioe 
of  what  he,  evidently,  deemed  a  very  great  liberty,  than  to  demand  how  he 
presumed  to  disobey  tiie  order  of  the  surgeon.  Then  dies^iring  him  to  pro- 
ceed forthwith  to  the  hos[)ittiI  and  have  his  leg  dressed,  he  himself  withdrew 
after  postponing  the  parade  to  one  o*clock.  / 

''And  are  you  sure,  Nixon,  tliat  Mr.  Hey  wood  has  been  carried  off  by  the 
Indians,"  asked  Lieutenant  £lm°1ey,  the  revulsion  of  whose  feelings  on  hear* 
ing  the  corporal's  answer  t<>  '  j  question  put  by  Oaptain  Headley  had  been 
in  striking  contrast  with  w  u  he  had  experienced  only  a  moment  before ; 
"  are  you  quite  sure  of  this  ?" 

The  interrogatory  was  put,  immediately  after  the  commanding  officer  had 
retired,  doubtingly,  in  a  low  tone,  and  apart  from  the  rest  of  the  men. 

"  I  saw  them  carry  him  off  myself,  sir,"  again  deliberately  said  the  oor- 
poral.     "The  whole  of  the  party  saw  it  too." 

^  Enough,  enough,"  pursued  the  lieutenant,  io  a  friendly  tone.  "  I  believo 
you,  Nixon.  But  another  question.  Were  you  joined  last  night  by  any 
one  of  the  regiment  ?  recollect  yourself." 

The  corporal  declaring  that  nothing  in  the  shape  of  an  American  nniform 
had  come  ander  his  notioe,  since  he  departed  from  the  Fort  the  preceding 
evening,  the  officer  next  turned  his  attention  to  the  boat. 

"What  are  you  fumbling  about  there,  OoUins?"  he  asked,  rather  sharply— 
'*  Why  do  you  not  go  and  join  your  D.ess?"  This  was  said  as  the  restof  tho 
party  were  now  in  the  act  of  moving  off  with  their  muskets  and  fishing 
apparatus. 

"  Poor  fellow  t"  interposed  the  oorporal,  "  he  is  not  himself  to-day ;  but  I 
am  sure,  Mr.  Eimsley,  you  will  not  be  hard  upon  him,  when  I  tell  you  that, 
bat  for  him,  there  wouldn't  be  a  man  of  us  here  of  the  whole  party." 

"  Indeed  I"  exclaimed  the  lieutenant,  not  a  little  surprised  at  the  informar 
tion ;  "  but  we  shall  hear  all  about  that  presently ;  yet  what  is  he  fidgetting 
abont  at  the  bottom  of  the  bow  of  the  boat  ?" 

"There's  another  body  there,  sir,  besides  Le  Noir's.  It's  that  of  the  poor 
boy  at  Heywood's — an  Indian  scalped  him  and  left  him  for  dead.  OoUins, 
who  put  a  bullet  into  the  same  fellow,  not  an  hour  afterwards,  found  the  boy 
by  accident,  while  retreating  from  the  place  where  we  had  the  first  scrim- 
mage with  the  red  devils.  He  was  still  breathing,  add  he  took  every  pains 
to  recover  him,  but  the  cold  night  air  was  too  much  for  liim,  and  he  died  in 
the  poor  fellow's  arms." 

"  Well,  this  is  a  strange  night's  adventure,  or  rather  series  of  adventures," 
remarked  the  lieutenant  half  aside  to  himself.  "Then,  I  suppose,"  he 
resumed,  more  immediately  addressing  the  corporal,  "  he  has  bro'.ght  tho 
body  of  the  boy  to  liave  him  interred  with  Le  Noir?" 

"  Just  80,  sir,  for  lie  mourns  him  as  if  lie  had  been  lii:*  own  child,"  answered 
Nixon,  as  the  officer  departed — "  here,  Loup  Garon,  Loup  Garou,"  and  he 
whistled  to  the  dog.   "  Oome  along,  old  fellow,  and  set  some  breakfast." 

But  Loup  Garou  would  not  stir  at  the  call  of  his  new  master.  Sorrow 
was  the  only  feast  in  which  he  seemed  inclined  to  iiululgo,  and  he  continued 
to  crouch  near  the  body  of  the  Canadian  as  impassible  and  motionless  as  if 
he  was  no  longer  of  earth  himself. 

"Oome  along,  Collins,"  gently  urged  the  Virginian,  approaching  the  boat, 
irhere  the  former  was  still  feeling  the  bosom  of  th(j  dead  boy,  in  the  vtdn 


■:i: 


1  ■  *:]  'I 


'   .1 
1 

:     i-- 


( •:  i  ■ 


RARDSCRABBLE  :     OR, 


.  t'vr- 


hope  of  finding  that  life  was  not  yet  extinct.  "  It's  no  use  thinking  i.boat  it ; 
you  have  done  your  duty  as  a  soldier,  and  aa  a  good  man,  but  you  see  he  is 
gone,  and  there  is  no  help  for  it.  By  and  by,  we  will  bury  them  both 
together;  but  come  along  now.    The  dog  will  lei  nobody  near  them." 

•'Dash  me,  corporal,  if  I  ever  felt  so  qtieer  in  my  life!"  answered  ColliDs, 
in  a  melancholy  tone,  strongly  in  contrast  with  his  habitnal  brusqae  gaiety  ; 
"but,  as  yon  say,  it's  no  use.  The  poor  lad  is  dead  enough  at  last,  and  my 
only  comfort  now  is  to  bury  him,  and  sometimes  look  at  his  grave." 

The  half-hour  given  by  Captain  Ueadley  to  the  men  to  clean  themselves 
and  eat  their  breakfasts,  afforded  his  subaltern  am{>le  time  to  take  his  Own, 
which  bad  all  this  time  been  waiting.  Wiien  he  reached  his  rooms  he  found 
that  he  had  another  ordeal  to  go  through.  Mrs.  Elmxley  was  already  at  the 
head  of  the  table,  and  pouring  out  the  coffee,  with  Miss  Heywood  seated  on 
her  left — the  latter  very  pale,  and  having  evidently  passed  a  sleepless  night. 
Aa  the  officer  entered  the  room,  a  slight  flush  overspread  her  features,  for 
she  looked  as  if  she  expected  him  to  be  accompanied  by  another,  but  when 
he  hastilv  unbuckled  his  sword,  and  placed  it,  with  hia  ca|),  on  a  side-table, 
desiring  his  wife  to  lose  no  time  in  ponring  out  the  coffee,  as  he  \nust  be  off 
again  immediately,  she  felt,  she  knew  not  wherefore,  very  sick  at  heart,  and 
became  even  paler  than  before.  Nor  was  she  at  all  re-assured  by  tb<^  tone 
of  commiseration  in  which,  after  drawing  a  chair  to  her  ^ide,  and  affec- 
tionately pressing  her  hand,  he  inquired  after  her  own  and  her  mother's 
health. 

•^  Why,  George,"  said  Mrs.  Elmsley,  who  remarked  this  change  in  her 
friend,  and  in  some  degree  divined  the  cause,  "  where  are  Mr.  Ronayne  and 
the  doctor  ?  Ton  told  me  last  night  they  were  to  breakfast  here— and  see, 
one,  two,  three,  four,  five  cups  (pointing  at  oach  with  her  finger),  I  have 
prepared  accordingly.  Indeed,  I  scarcely  think  this  young  lady  would  have 
made  her  appearance  at  the  breakfast-table,  had  she  not  expected  to  meet-— 
"Who  was  it,  my  dear  ?"  and  she  turned  an  arch  look  upon  her  friend — "  ah ! 
I  know  now — Von  Vottenberg." 

"^Nay,  I  have  no  more  need  of  disguise  from  yrnr  husband  than  from 
yourself,  Margaret,"  replied  Miss  Heywood,  her  coloring  cheek  in  a  measure 
oontradioting  her  words — ••  it  was  Harry  Ronayne  I  expected ;  but,"  she 
added,  with  a  faint  smile,  "  do  not  imagine  I  am  quite  so  romantic  as  not  to 
be  able  to  take  my  breakfast,  because  he  is  not  present  to  share  it;  therefore 
If  you  please,  I  also  will  trouble  you  for  a  cup  of  coffee." 

"All  in  good  time,"  remarked  Mrs.  ElmsTey.  "I  dare  say,  Ronayne  is 
engaged  in  some  duty  which  has  prevented  him  from  keeping  his  engage- 
ment as  punctually  as  he  could  have  desired.  We  shall  certainly  see  him 
before  the  breakfast  tilings  are  removed." 

••  It  seems  to  me,"  said  her  husband,  who  was  taking  his  meal  with  the 
appetite  of  any  other  than  a  hungry  man,  and  even  with  a  shade  of  vexation 
on  his  features,  '■*■  that  you  all  appear  to  be  very  much  in  the  dark  here. 
Why,  Margaret,  have  you  not  heard  what  has  occurred  during  the  night,  as 
well  as  this  morning  ?" 

"  How  should  I  have  heard  any  thing,  George  ?"  replied  Mrs.  Elmsley. 
"  I  have  seen  no  one  since  yon  went  out  tliis  morning — who  could  have 
communicated  news  from  without  ?  Surely  yon  ought  to  know  that.  Will 
you  have  more  coffee  ?" 

s  "  No,  thank  you — 1  have  no  appetite  for  coffee  or  for  any  thing  else.  I 
almost  wish  1  liad  not  come.  Dear  Maria,"  he  added,  impetuously,  taking 
Miss  Hey  wood's  hand  in  his  own;  "I  know  you  have  a  noble — a  courageous 
heart,  and  can  bear  philosophically  what  I  liave  to  tell  you." 

"  I  can  bear  much,"  was  the  reply,  accompanied  by  a  forced  smile,  that 
was  contradicted  by  the  quivering  of  the  compressed  lip;  "and  if  I  could 
not,  I  find  I  must  begin  to  learn.  Yet  what  cun  you  have  to  tell  me,  my 
dear  Mr.  Elmsley,  more  than  I  already  divine — my  i)oor  father — "  and  the 
tears  started  from  her  eyes. 

"Hal  there  at  least,  I  have  comfort  for  you — although  there  has  been 
sad  work  at  the  farm— the  fishing-party  have  come  in  with  the  bodies  of 


P 
c 


V 

r 


I 


THB    FALL    Of    OHIOAOO. 


66 


I 


poor  Le  Noir  and  the  boy  Wilton,  bat  they  all  say  lliat  Mr.  Hey  wood,  was 
carried  off  a  prisoner  by  the  Indians." 

'^  Oarried  off  a  prisoner,"  repeated  Miss  Hey  wood,  a  sadden  glow  animating 
her  paU  features — ^*ob  1  Elmsley,  thank  you  for  that.  There  is  still  a  hope 
then  ?" 

"There  h  indeed  a  hope;  but,  dearest  Miss  Iley wooed,  why  must  I  heal 
with  one  hand  and  wound  with  tlie  other.  If  I  give  coruparativd  good 
news  of  your  father,  there  in  another  who  ought  to  be  here,  and  whose 
absence  at  tliis  uioine at  is  to  me  at  once  a  pain  and  a  inystery." 

"You  mean  Harry  Rcmayne?"  she  said,  hesitatingly,  but  without  mani- 
festing 8urpri:^e. 

"  Where  the  foolish  fellow  lias  gone,"  he  continued,  "  I  do  not  know,  bat 
he  has  disappeared  from  the  Fort,  nor  has  he  left  the  slightest  clue  by  which 
he  may  be  traced." 

"  Does  Captain  Headley  know  this  ?"  she  inquired,  recollecting  that  part 
of  the  conversation  that  had  passed  between  them  the  preceding  day,  in 
reference  to  the  succor  that  might  have  been  affbrded  at  Uie  farm. 

"  He  does.  I  made  the  report  of  Ronayne's  absence  to  him  personally,, 
and  the  doctor  was  summoned  to  state  if  he  had  seen  any  thing  of  him. 
He,  however,  was  as  ignorant  as  a  man,  who  had  been  drunk  during  the 
uight,  and  was  not  yet  quite  sober  in  the  morning,  could  well  be.  The 
captain  was  as  much  surprised  as  displeased,  but  further  inquiry  was  delayed 
on  the  sergeant  of  the  guard  coming  up  and  announcing  the  near  approach 
of  the  boat  containing  the  hshing-party." 

"  Tell  me,  dear  Mr.  Elmsley,"  said  Miss  Hey  wood,  after  a  few  moments 
of  seeming  reflection ;  "  what  is  your  own  opinion  wf  the  matter  ?  How^ 
do  you  account — or  have  you  at  all  endeavored  to  account  for  Ronayne^s 
absence  ?" 

"  I  can  easily  understand  the  cause,"  he  replied,  ''  but  confound  me  if  I 
can  attempt  to  divine  the  means  he  took  to  accomplish  bis  object." 

He  then  proceeded  to  relate  the  circumstances  of  his  proposal  to  Oaptain 
Headley — the  abrupt  refusal  he  had  met  with — his  subsequent  application  to 
himself  to  pass  him  out  of  the  gate,  and  the  final  abandonment  of  his  requeat 
when  he  found  tliat  his  acquiescence  would  seriously  compromise  him,  as 
officer  of  the  guard. 

"  Noble  Harry  I"  thought  Miss  Hey  wood — "  your  confusion,  your  vexation 
of  yesterday,  arose  from  not  being  able  to  follow  your  own  generous 
impulses :  but  now  I  fully  understand  the  resolve  you  secretly  made — and 
all  for  my  sake.  Do  not  think  me  very  romantic,"  she  said  aloud  to  Mrs. 
Elmsley,  "bat  really,  Margaret,  I  cannot  despair  that  all  will  yet,  and 
speedily,  be  well.  The  only  fear  I  entertain  is  that  the  strict  Oaptain 
Headley  may  rebuke  him  in  terms  that  will  call  np  all  the  fire  of  his  natare, 
and  induce  a  retort  that  may  prove  a  source  of  serious  misunderstanding-* 
unless,  indeed,  the  greatness  of  the  service  rendered,  plead  his  justification.", 

"  How  that  we  are  on  the  subject,  dear  ^iss  Hey  wood,"  remarked  Elmaley, 
"  let  me  once  for  all  disabuse  you  of  an  impression  which  I  fear  you  enter- 
tain— or  i>  it  so  ?  Do  you  think  that  Roiiayne  has  had  an  opportunity  of 
joining  the  party  at  tlie  farm  ?" 

"  Oertainly,  I  do,"  she  answered,  gravely,  ^'  or  why  should  he.  have  gone 
forth  ?  Pray  do  not  rob  me  of  what  little  comfort,  in  expectation,  I  have 
lefu" 

"That  he  went  forth  madly  and  single-handed  for  the  purpose,  I  can 
believe — nay,  I  am  sure  of  it ;  but  I  grieve  to  add  that  he  has  not  been  seen> 
^here." 

"  This,  indeed,  is  strange,"  she  returned  in  faltering  tones,  and  witli  ill- 
disguised  emotion,  for,  hitherto  she  had  bef"\  sustained  by  the  belief  tttat  he 
was  merely  lingering  behind  the  party,  in  order  to  satisfy  himself  of  facts, 
the  detail  of  which  could  not  fail  to  be  sctisfaotory  to  her  ear.  "  How 
know  you  this  ?" 

"  I  questioned  Oorporal  Nixon,  who  commanded  the  part^,  and  who 
iH>|>riscd  me  of  Mr.  Hey  wood's  having  been  carried  off  by  the  Indians,  for 


^:* 


68 


HAROBORABBLB  ;     OR, 


I  wa«  (leoply  Anxious,  aa  }  ou  may  presume,  to  know  what  had  b«oom«  of 
mj  friend — and  this  far  less  even  for  my  own  nalte  than  for  yonm." 

''  And  hiH  answer  was?"  and  there  waH  dee)>  melancholy  in  the  qoestion. 

"That  no  American  uniform  had  come  un<ler  his  notice  during  his  abseno* 
from  the  Fort,  save  tliosc  ^f  the  party  he  commanded.  These,  as  far  as  I 
can  recollect,  were  his  precise  words." 

"Mr.  Elmsley,"  said  a  sentry,  who  now  appeared  at  the  door  of  the 
breakfaht-parlor,  "Oaptaid  lieadley  waits  for  you  in  the  orderly  room."    .  => 

"  Is  Corporal  Nix»n  thare  ?"  asked  the  lieutenant. 

"He  is,  Hir."  ... 

"  Good.  Dixon,  I  shall  be  there  immediately." 

"God  blessyou,"  he  continued,  to  Miss  Heywood,  when  the  man  had 
departed.  "We  shall,  perliaps,  elicit  from  him,  something  that  will  throw 
A  light  npon  the  obscure  part  of  this  matter.  Margaret,  do  not  leave  the 
dear  girl  alone,  but  cheer  up  her  spirit^,  and  make  her  hope  for  the  best." 

80  saying,  lie  shook  )  er  hand  affectionately,  pushed  back  his  chair  from 
the  table,  and  resuming  liis  cap  and  sword,  left  the  friends  together,  promising 
to  return  as  soon  as  tbe  examination  of  the  man  should  be  concluded. 


I  i 


n 


i^-^'^ 


CHAPTER    IX. 


Ill  I  i.(,  .  1 


•!'*<< 


Ms.  Hktwood's  history  may  be  told  in  a  few  words.  He  was  the  son  of 
an  officer  who  had  served  in  one  of  the  American  partizan  corps,  during  the 
Bevolution,  and  had  been  killed  at  the  attack  made  by  General  Green  upon 
the  stronghold  of  Ninety-Six,  in  the  South.  At  that  time  he  was  a  mere 
yoQth,  and  fdund  himself  a  few  years  after,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
without  fortune,  and  wholly  dependant  npon  his  own  resources.  The  war 
being  soon  ended,  his  naturally  enterprising  disposition,  added  to  great 
physical  strength,  induced  him  to  unite  himself  with  one  of  the  many  bands 
of  adventurers  that  poured  into  the  then,  wilds  of  Kentucky,  where, 
within  five  year?,  and  by  dint  of  mere  exertion  and  induatry,  he  amassed 
money  enough  to  enable  him  to  repair  to  Oharleston,  in  South  Carolina,  and 
espouse  a  lady  of  considerable  landed  property,  with  whom  he  had  formed 
a  partial  engagement,  prior  to  his  entering  on  that  adventurous  life.  The 
only  fruit  of  this  uuion  was  a  daughter,  and  here,  as  far  as  fortune  was  con- 
cerned, they  might  have  enjoyed  every  comfort  in  life,  for  Mrs.  Heywood'a 
property  was  principally  situated  in  the  neighborhood,  but  her  husband  was 
of  too  restless  a  ne.ture  to  content  himself  with  a  sedentary  life.  He  liad  at 
tbe  outset  embarked  in  commerce — the  experience  of  a  few  years,  however, 
convincing  him  that  he  was  quite  unsnited  to  such  pursuits,  he  had  the 
good  sense  to  abandon  them  before  his  affairs  could  be  involved.  He  next 
attempted  the  cultivation  of  the  estate,  but  this  failing  to  afford  him  the 
excitement  he  craved,  he  suddenly  took  leave  of  his  family,  and  placing 
every  thing  under  the  control  of  a  manager,  once  more  obeyed  the  strong 
impulse,  which  u;.'ged  him  again  to  Kentucky.  Here,  following  as  a  passion 
the  occupation  of  his  earlier  years,  he  passed  several  seasons,  scarcely  com- 
municating during  that  period,  with  his  amiable  and  gentle  wife,  for  whom, 
however,  as  well  as  for  his  daughter — now  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  growing 
rapidly  into  womanhood — he  was  by  no  means  wanting  in  affection.  Nor 
was  his  return  home  then  purely  a  matter  of  choice.  Although  neither 
quarrelsome  nor  dissipated  in  his  habits,  he  had  had  the  misfortune  to  kill, 
in  a  duel,  a  young  lawyer  of  good  family  who  had  accompanied  him  to 
Kentucky,  and  liad  consequently  fled.  Great  exertions  were  made  by  the 
relatives  of  the  deceased  to  have  him  arrested  on  the  plea  that  the  duel,  the 
result  of  a  tavei'n  dispute,  had  been  unfiair  on  the  part  of  the  survivor.  As 
there  w«s  somo  slight  ground  for  this  charge,  the  fact  of  Mr.  Heywood's 
flight  afforded  increased  presumption  of  his  guiir,  and  such  was  the  publicity 
given  to  the  ms.tter  by  his  enemies,  that  tbe  rumor  soon  reached  CharlestoOf 
and  finally,  the  ears  of  his  family.  -/«<'  »  boortvan  .(•/.  u>  $.ii  ;► .   ,-    . 


rai    FALL    or    CtltCAOO. 


6T 


I 


/ 


Bevealiuii;,  in  this  extremity,  his  true  positiou  to  his  wife,  Mr.  Ileywood 
deolarod  it  to  be  his  intention  either  to  cross  tlie  sea,  or  to  bury  himself 
forever  in  tlie  remotest  civilized  portion  of  their  own  continent,  leaving  her 
however,  to  tlie  undisturbed  possession  of  the  property  she  had  brought  him, 
whicii  would  of  course  descend  to  their  oliild. 

But  Mrs.  Ileywood  would  not  listen  to  tliis  proposal.  Although  she  had 
maoh  to  uompluin  of,  and  to  pain  her,  all  reoollection  of  the  past  faded 
from  her  memory,  wtien  sliu  beheld  her  husband  in  a  position  of  danger, 
and  even  in  some  degree  of  humiliation,  fur  she  was  not  ignorant  that  even 
ki  the  eyes  of  people  not  over  ocrupulous,  ineffaceable  infamy  attaclies  to  the 
man,  who,  in  a  duel,  aims  with  uiifuir  delibenition  at  the  life  of  his  opponent; 
and  anxious  to  satisfy  herself  that  sach  a  stain  rested  not  on  the  father  of 
her  child,  she  cot\jured  him  to  tell  her  if  such  really  was  the  case.  He 
solemnly  denied  the  fact,  althc^gh  he  admitted  there  were  certain  appear- 
ances against  him,  which,  slight  as  they  were,  his  enemies  ba<^  sought  to 
deepen  into  proofs — and  in  the  difficulty  of  disproving  these  lay  his  ehief 
embarrassment. 

The  tone — the  manner — the  whole  demeanor  of  Mr.  Heywood  carried 
conviction  with  his  denial,  and  his  wife  at  once  expressed  her  determination 
to  renounce  for  his  sake,  all  those  local  ties  and  associations  by  which  she 
bad  been  surroanded  from  childhood,  and  follow  his  fortunes,  whithersoever 
they  might  lead.  This,  she  persisted,  she  was  the  more  ready  and  willing  to 
do,  because  her  daughter's. education  having  been  some  months  completed, 
under  the  best  masters,  there  was  now  no  anxiety  on  her  account,  other 
tlian  what  might  arise  from  her  own  sense  of  the  contemplated  change. 

Maria  Ueywood  was  accordingly  summoned  to  the  consultation — made 
acquainted  with  her  father's  position,  and  the  necessity  for  his  instant 
departure  from  that  section  of  the  country — and  finally  told  that  with  her  it 
rested  to  decide,  not  only  whether  he  should  go  alone,  but  if  they  acoom- 
panied  him,  whether  it  should  be  to  Europe,  or  to  the  Far  West. 

"  Best  with  me  to  decide  I"  exclaimed  the  warm-hearted  girl  as  she  threw 
herself  into  her  mother's  arms.  "  Ob,  how  good  of  you  both  thus  to  consult 
me,  whose  duty  it  is  to  obey.  But  do  not  think  that  it  is  any  privation  for 
me  to  leave  this.  I  cannot  claim  the  poor  merit  of  the  sacrifice.  I  have  no 
enjoyment  in  citiee.  Give  me  the  solitude  of  nature,  books,  and  music,  and 
I  will  live  in  a  wigwam  without  regret." 

'■*■  Dear  enthusiast,"  said  Mrs.  Heywood,  pressing  her  fondly  to  her  heart ; 
'^  I  knew  well  in  what  spirit  would  be  your  answer.  Tou  decide  then  for 
the  Far  West  ?" 

^^  Oh,  yes,  dear  mamma  I  the  Far  West  for  me — no  Europe.  Give  me  the 
tall,  dense  forests  of  our  own  noble  land  1  I  desire  no  other  home— long 
h,\ve  I  pictured  to  myself  the  vast  lakes — the  trackless  woods  and  the 
boundless  prairies  of  that  region  of  which  I  have  read  so  much,  and  now," 
8h<3  concluded,  with  exultation,  ^^my  fondest  wi  lies  will  be  realized,  and  I 
shall  pass  my  life  in  the  midst  of  them.  But,  dear  papa,  to  what  partionlar 
spot  do  we  go  ?" 

'■'■  To  Ohicago,  my  noble  girl  1  It  is  the  remotest  of  our  Western  posses- 
sions, and  quite  a  new  country.  There  I  may  hope  to  pass  unheeded,  but 
how  will  you,  dear  Maria,  endure  being  buried  alive  there,  when  so  many 
advantages  await  you  here  ?" 

"  Only  figuratively,  papa,"  she  replied  with  a  pensive  smile  stealing  over 
her  fine  intellectual  features.  ^'Have  no  fear  for  me  on  that  score,  for 
depend  upon  it,  with  so  much  natural  beauty  to  interest,  it  will  be  my  own 
fault,  if  I  suffer  myself  te  be  buried  alive.     What  think  you,  dear  mamma?" 

*'  I  think  with  you,  my  child,"  replied  Mrs.  Heywood,  looking  approvingly 
at  her  daughter,  '■^  that  it  is  our  duty,  as  it  assuredly  will  be  our  pleasure  to 
aooompany  your  father  wherever  he  may  go." 

It  was  now  arranged  that  Mr.  Heywood,  furnished  'with  a  considerable 
saui  of  money  in  gold,  should  set  out  alone  on  the  following  night  for  their 
new  destination,  and  make  the  necessary  preparations  for  their  reception,  ** 
wbile  his  wife,  through  her  agent,  should  endeavor  to  dispose  of  the  estate. 


I 


08 


HARDSCRADHr.R  ;     OR, 


(■:■■ 


Am  it  would  require  some  time  for  thi<),  and  as  the  arrangemenlR  nt  Ohioago 
could  not  well  be  completed  within  sovornl  months,  it  \vm  settled  that  they 
should  meet  at  Albany,  early  in  the  foilowin;;  niiluinn,  wiu-ro  tliey  should 
proceed  to  tuke  possession  of  their  new  abode.  For  his  better  Heouriiy  and 
ftvedom  froiri  interruption,  Mr.  Ileywood,  wiiile  trflvt'llinp,  vfis  to  assume  a 
feigned  name,  but  hin  own  was  to  be  roHiiniod  itnmediiituly  n:  t-r  his  arrival 
at  Chicago,  for  nciih'^r  he  nor  his  family  could  for  a  I'notntiit  think  of 
increasing  the  Hiispicinh  of  guilt,  by  coiitinuiiig  a  luiine  that  wn-*  not  their 
own ;  and,  finolly,  as  a  last  measur«  of  juvraution,  tlio  free  Her\  ,i  its  of  the 
establishment,  had,  wi:h  the  exception  of  ('ntbarino,  whom  tliey  were  to 
take  with  them,  been  discharged,  while  a  purchaser  having  fortiiiiiitely  been 
found,  the  slaves,  with  the  estate,  were  handed  over  to  a  new  master, 
proverbial  for  hia  kindness  to  that  usually  oppressed  race.  Hy  those  means 
they  found  themselves  provided  witli  funds  more  than  adequate  to  all  their 
future  wante,  the  great  bidk  of  the  sum  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  estate 
being  vested  in  two  of  the  most  stable  bunks  of  the  Union. 

With  the  money  he  took  witii  him,  carefully  deposited  in  hia  saddlebags, 
for  he  performed  the  whol«  of  the  journey  on  horseback,  Mr.  Heywood  had 
caused  the  cottage  already  described,  t(»  be  built  and  furnished  from  Detroit, 
in  what,  at  that  period,  and  so  completely  at  the  uUiiiia  thnle  of  American 
civilization,  was  considered  a  style  of  great  luxury.  He  had,  however, 
shortly  prior  to  his  setting  out  for  Albany,  purchased  several  hundred  acres 
of  land,  about  two  miles  up  the  Southern  branch  of  the  Chicago,  leaving 
instrnotiona  with  Le  Noir,  whom  he  had  engaged  for  a  long  term  of  servioe, 
to  erect  upon  it  a  log  building  and  outhouses.  Tlds  lie  had  been  indnced  to 
do  froiu  that  aching  desire  for  physical  exertion  which  had  been  familiar  to 
him  from  boyhood,  and  w^ich  he  felt  could  never  be  suiBoiently  indulged 
within  the  lim'lted  compass  of  the  little  village  itself — subjected  as  he  must 
be  to  the  observation  of  the  curious  and  the  impertinent.  He  returned 
from  Albany  after  a  few  months*  absence,  in  the  autumn  of  1809,  bringing 
with  him  his  friends  who  occupied  the  cottage,  while  he  himself  obtained 
their  assent  that  he  shtiuld  inhabit  the  fann  house,  completed  soon  after  hia 
return.  Here  he  cut  with  his  own  hands,  many  a  cord  of  the  wood  that  his 
servants  floated  down  in  rafts,  not  only  for  his  own  family,  but  to  supply  the 
far  more  exteusive  wants  of  the  garrison,  with  winch,  however,  he  had 
little  or  no  intercourse,  beyond  that  resulting  from  his  business  relations. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  things  at  tlfe  period  at  which  our  narrative  has 
opened.  Maria  Heywood  had  now  been  three  years  an  occnpant  of  tho 
cottage,  and  within'that  time  solitude  and  habits  of  reflection  had  greatly 
matured  her  mind,  as  years  had  given  every  womanly  grace  to  her  person. 
The  past  had  also  tended  much  to  form  her  character,  upon  which  the 
development  of  physical  beauty  so  often  depends.  At  her  first  ddbut  into 
society  at  Charleston,  in  lier  fourteenth  year — an  age  that  would  have  been 
considered  premature,  but  for  the  rapidity  with  which  form  and  intellect  are 
known  to  ripen  in  that  precocious  climate — she  had  received,  but  listened 
with  indifference  to  the  vapid  compliments  of  men  whose  shallowness  she 
was  not  slow  to  detect,  and  whose  homage  conveyed  rather  a  fulsome 
tribute  to  her  mere  personal  beauty,  than  a  correct  appreciation  of  her  heart 
and  understanding.  Not  that  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  she  prided  herself 
unduly  upon  this  latter,  but  because  it  was  by  that  standard  of  conduct 
chiefly,  that  she  was  enabled  to  judge  of  the  minds  of  those  wlio  evinced  so 
imperfect  a  knowledge  of  the  female  heart,  when,  emerging  from  the  gaiety 
of  girlhood,  it  passes  into  the  earnestness  of  womanly  feeling. 

But  although' cold — almost  repellant  to  all  who  had  poured  their  ephemeral 
and  seldom  varjing  homage  in  her  ear — no  woman's  heart  ever  beat 
with  more  kind — more  generous — more  devoted  sentiments,  than  her  own. 
Possessed  of  a  vivid  i;nagination,  which  the  general  quietude  of  her  demean- 
or in  a  great  degree  disowned,  she  had  already  Bketche<l  within  her 
glowing  mind  her  own  beau  ideal,  whose  image  wa?  a  talisman  to  deaden 
Eer  heart  against  the  influence  of  these  soulless  realities. 

With  such  sentiments  as  these  had  Maria  Heywood  cheerfully  ctmsented 


A 


I 


THE    FALL    OK     CHICAflO. 


60 


.i 


to  acoompany  her  parents  to  tliat  hecliided  H|)()t,  from  wliich  thoro  was  little 
probability  of  a  epoedy  rotnrn ;  but  solitude,  do  fur  t'roin  woakening  the 
strong  iuipretisionH  tliat  had  ntitwined  tlieniselveH  urouiid  lior  heurt,  t'rom  the 
moment  of  her  viintiicipation  IVoni  childlKiod,  only  horved  to  invest  them 
with  new  i)ower.  Tiic  uioro  lior  feelingB  ri!|)ine(l — tlio  more  expanded  her 
intellect — the  stronger  becanio  tlie  sense  of  iibsoiice  of  one  who  could  enter 
into,  and  in  some  degree,  i>\vo  n  direction  to  ail  hur  liioughtii  nud  emotions 
— Blmring  witli  lier  the  rich  fruit  that  Hpriiij^s  from  tlio  conncionsnesa  of 
kindred  asHociutious  of  mind.  IJut  tliis  was  the  secret  of  iier  own  hear^— 
of  the  iicart  of  one  wliose  perMunul  attractroiis  wero  well  suited  t(»  the  rich 
and  overflowing  character  of  her  soul,  and  who  had  now  attained  that  age 
which  gives  eloquent  expression  to  every  movement  of  tlie  ripely  nujuldud 
form. 

Above  the  middle  size,  tlie  figure  of  Muri.i  lleywuod  was  at  once  grace- 
fully  and  nobly  form'  d.  Her  face,  of  a  chiselled  oval,  was  of  a  delicate  olive 
tint,  which  well  harmonized  with  eyes  of  a  lustrous  hazel,  and  hair%if  glosay 
raven  binck.  A  small  mouth,  bordered  by  lips  of  coral  fulness,  disclosed, 
wlien  she  smiled,  teeth  white  and  even;  while  a  forehead,  high  for  her  sex, 
eombined  with  a  nose,  somewhat  more  aquiline  than  Grecian,  to  give  dignity 
to  a  countenance  that  might,  otherwise,  have  exhibited  a  ctiaracter  of 
voluptuous  i)eautj'.  Yet,  although  her  features,  when  lighted  no  by  vivacity 
or  oniotion,  wore  radiant  witli  intelligence;  their  expr  .^sion  wiieii  in  repose 
wsii  of  a  pensive  cast,  that,  contrasted  with  her  gener^il  rtppearance,  gave  to  it 
u  ch.M-ni,  addre-.sed  at  once  to  sense  "  .d  seiitimenc,  of  which  it  is  impossible, 
l)y  dev'criptiou,  U>  give  an  adequate  idea.  A  dimpled  ciieek,  an  arm,  hand 
and  foot,  that  mi^lit  have  served  the  statuary  as  a  laodel,  completed  a  person 
which,  without  exaggeration,  might  be  deemed  Kiniost,  if  not  wholly  fault- 
less. 

The  habits  of  Mr.  Heywood  were  of  that  peculiar  iia  "'e — hi.s  desire  of 
isolation  from  every  Miing  that  could  lie  called  society  ''  i\<  so  obvious,  that 
for  the  first  year  of  the  residence  of  the  family  at  hioago,  scarcely  any 
intercourse  had  been  maintained  between  the  '  ^'"  les  of  the  cott  ^  and  the 
offloers'  wives;  and  it  was  only  on  i4ie  occaKKia  «  f  the  communaiug  officer 
giving  a  party,  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  )f  Aiuerican  Independence  on 
the  following  year,  that  the  first  approacli  to  an  acquaintance  liad  be •. ; 
made.  It  had  been  deemed  by  him  u  mutter  of  duty  to  invite  all  of  tbci 
few  American  families  that  were  settlwl  in  the  loigliborhood,  and  of  course 
the  Heywoods  were  of  tlie  number.  On  iho  same  principle  of  convention- 
alism the  invitation  was  accepted,  and  not  nligtit  was  the  surprise  of  the 
ladies  of  the  garrison,  when  they  found  in  iho  secluded  occupants  of  the 
cottage,  to  whom  they  had  assigned  a  doubtful  position  in  society,  those  to 
whom  no  effort  of  tlieir  own  prejudice  could  refuse  that  correct  estimate, 
winch  quiet  dignity  without  ostentation,  is  ever  certain  to  command. 

At  tiie  announcement  of  the  names  of  Mrs.  and  Miss  Heywood,  the  some- 
wliat  stately  Mrs.  Headley  was  disposed  to  receive  with  hauteur  the  iiimatea 
of  the  cottage,  but  no  sooner  had  Maria  Heywood,  accom|»anied  uy  her 
gentle  motlier,  entered  the  apaiii  v ot  wiiii  ti'e  easy  and  composed  air  of  one 
to  whom  the  drawing-room  is  lU.  , nur,  than  all  her  prejudices  vanished,  "id 
witli  a  heart  warrning  towards  lier,  as  though  shy  liad  been  the  ciierisiied 
sister  of  lier  love,  slie  arose,  pressed  her  hand  affectionately  and  welcom^jd 
Iter  to  the  Fort  with  th  sincerity  of  a  generous  and  elevated  nature, 
anxions  to  repair  its  own  ■vr()ng. 

From  that  period,  lotli  by  tlie  wife  of  the  commandant,  and  by  Mrs. 
Elnisley — the  only  two  ladies  in  the  garrison,  Maria  Heywood  was  as  much 
liked  and  c()".rted,  as  she  had  previously  iieen  disregarded.  To  deny  that  the 
noble  girl  did  in  some  measure  exnlt  in  this  change,  would  be  to  do  wrong 
to  the  commendable  prichj  of  a,  woman,  who  feels  that  the  unjust  prejudice 
which  had  cast  a  false  shadow  over  her  recent  life,  has  at  last  been  removed, 
and  that  the  value,  of  which  she  was  modestly  conscious,  began  to  be 
appreciated. 

It  was  at  this  party  that  her  aoqaaintanco  with  the  young  Southerner  had 


i 


70 


HAIiDSCRABfiI.E  ;     OR, 


'..:f 


,\ 


oommenoed,  and  it  is  needless  to  trace  the  gradiinl  rise  of  an  attachment 
■which  similarity  of  tastes  had  engendered.  Na'turally  of  an  ardent  disposi- 
tion, the  youth  had,  as  we  have  renaarked  on  a  previous  occasion,  hitiierto 
loved  to  indulge  in  the  excitement  of  the  wild  sports  of  the  forest  and  the 
prairie,  as  the  only  present  nieaus  of  giving  freedom  to  that  spirit  of  enter- 
prise, so  usually  wedded  to  the  generous  and  unoccupied  mind ;  but,  from 
the  period  of  his  acquaintance  with  Maria  Heywood,  a  total  change  had  come 
over  his  manner  of  life.  The  liunt — the  chase — and  the  cup  that  so  often 
succeeded,  were  now  almost  wholly  abandoned,  and  his  only  delight  now  in 
excursions  was  to  ride  with  her  across  the  prairie,  or  to  pull  her  iu  his  light 
skiff  either  along  the  shores  of  the  Michigan,  or  through  the  various  branches 
of  the  river,  contemplating  the  beautiful  Lleavens  By  moonlight,  and  indulging 
in  speculations,  which  were  not  more  the  fruit  of  romantic  temperament, 
than  of  the  intensity  of  Love.  He  had,  moreover,  four  dogs  trained  to  draw 
her  in  a  V%[\t  sledge  of  his  own  device  and  construction,  in  winter.  In  these 
rambles  she  was  usually  accompanied  either  by  Mrs.  Headley,  or  by  the  wife 
of  his  friend  and  brother  subaltern,  and  after  the  invigorating  exercise  of  the 
day,  his  evenings,  whenever  he  could  absent  himself  from  the  Fort,  were 
devoted  within  the  cottage  to  books,  music,  and  the  far  more  endearing 
interchange  of  the  resources  of  their  gifted  minds.  In  summer  there  were 
other  employments  of  a  domestic  character,  for  in  addition  tu  their  rides, 
walk  ■  and  excursions  on  the  wiiter,  both  found  ample  scope  for  the  indul- 
gence of  their  partiality  for  flowers,  in  the  taite  for  practical  horticulture 
posse^^sed  by  Ronayne,  under  whose  care  had  grown  the  luxuriant  beauty 
which  every  where  pervaded  the  little  garden,  and  made  it  to  the  grateful 
girl  a  paradise  in  miniature. 

Thus  had  passed  nearly  two  years,  and  insensibly,  without  a  word  of  love 
having  been  breathed,  each  felt  all  the  security  which  a  consoionsness  of 
being  beloved  alone  could  yield,  and  that  assurance  imparted  to  their 
manner  and  address  when  alone,  a  confiding  air,  the  more  endearing  from 
the  silence  of  their  lips.  But  although  no  word  uttered  by  themselves 
proclaimed  the  existence  of  the  secret  and  holy  compact,  not  only  were  they 
fully  sensible  of  it  themselves,  but  it  was  obvious  to  all — even  to  the  least 
observant  of  the  garrison,  and  many  were  there,  both  among  the  soldiers 
and  their  wives — by  all  of  whom  the  young  ensign  was  liked  for  his  open- 
ness and  manliness  of  character — who  expressed  a  fervent  hope  that  the 
beautiful  and  amiable  Mm  Heywood  would  soon  become  the  bride  of  their 
favorite  officer.  This  it  was,  which  had  led  the  men  of  the  fishing-party  to 
express  in  their  way,  their  sorrow  for  the  young  lady,  when  she  should  hear 
of  the  events  at  the  farm-house,  even  while  passing  their  rude  encomiums 
on  the  sw(  o«^:ies8  of  disposition  of  her,  whom  they  already  regarded  as  the 
T/ife  of  thei  •  young  officer. 

It  was  nearly  noon,  and  Lieutenant  Elmsley  had  not  yet  made  his  appear- 
ance with  the  promi^ied  report.  Maria  Heywood  had,  after  passing  an  hour 
with  her  mother,  returned  to  the  break iiist-room,  which  it  will  be  recollected 
opened  immediately  u[)on  tiie  barrack-square.  Her  friend  being  engaged 
with  her  domestic  affairs,  which  every  lady  was  at  that  period  in  a  measure 
compelled  to  superintend,  she  had  thrown  herself  (still  in  her  morning 
dishabille)  on  a  conch  with  a  book  in  her  hand,  but  with  a  mind  wholly 
distracted  from  the  subject  of  its  pages.  After  continuing  some  time  thus, 
a  prey  to  nervous  anxiety,  as  much  the  result  of  £lm8ley's  long  absence  as 
of  her  former  fears,  the  sound  of  the  fifes  and  drums  fell  sturtlingly,  she 
knew  not  wherefore,  upon  her  ear  and  drew  her  to  the  door.  The  men 
were  falling  in,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes  tlie  little  line  was  formed 
a  few  yards  to  her  left,  with  its  flanks  resting  on  either  range  of  building, 
so  thlit  the  mess-room  door,  then  open,  was  distinctly  visible  in  front.  At 
the  same  moment,  Captain  Headley  and  the  lieutenant,  followed  by  Corporal 
Nixon  and  the  other  men  of  the  fishing-party — Green  only  excepted — passed 
out  of  the  orderly  room  on  her  right,  moved  across,  and  took  up  their  posi- 
tion in  front  of  the  parade. 

**Ood  bless  me,  Maria,  what  is  that,  or  is  it  his  ghost  1"  suddenly  and 


THE     Fk\.L     OF     CHICAGO. 


71 


and  anguardudly  exclaimed  Mrs.  Elinsley,  who  had  that  moment  joined  h^f 
friend — placing  her  arm  at  the  same  time  ronnd  her  waist. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Mar "  but  before  Maria  Heywoocl  could  complete 

her  aenleuce,  all  power  of  si)eecii  was  taken  t'rora  her  in  ilie  emotion  with 
which  she  regarded  what,  after  a  momentary  gkuce,  met  licr  view. 

It  was  her  lover,  fully  equipped  for  parade,  and  walking  towards  the  men 
with  a  calm  and  deliberate  step,  which  seemed  to  evince  total  unconscious- 
ness that  any  thing  unusual  had  happened. 

"  Here  is  a  chair,  my  luve — yuu  really  tremble  as  if  the  man  was  a 
ghost.  Now  then,  we  shall  iiave  a  ^scene  between  him  and  our  amiable 
commandant.'* 

"  God  forbid  I"  tremulously  answered  the  alraoar  bewildered  girl ;  "  I  am 
the  cause  of  all." 

"  You !  Stuff,  Maria.  What  nonsense  you  talk,  for  a  sensible  girl.  How 
Bhould  you  be  the  cause?  but,  positively,  Ronayne  can  never  have  bfeen  away 
from  the  Fort." 

"  Do  you  think  so,  Margaret  ?"  ...         :.<  I.   .        i     i; 

"  I  am  sure  of  it.  Only  look  at  him.  He  is  as  spruce  as  if  he  had  only 
just  come  uut  of  a  band-box.  But  hunh,  not  a  word.  There,  that's  a  dear. 
Lean  your  head  against  my  shoulder.    Don  Bombastea  speaks!" 

"No  sign  of  Mr.  Ronayne  yet?"  demanded  Captain  Headley,  his  back 
tnrned  to  the  slowly  advancing  ofScer,  whose  proximity  not  one  of  the 
inen  seemed  inclined  to  announce,  possibly  because  they  feared  rebuke  for 
insubordination.  Mr.  Elmsley,"  be  pursued  to  that  otticer,  who,  acting  on  a 
significant  half-glance  from  his  friend,  was  silent  also  as  to  his  approach. 
"Let  a  foi^mal report  of  his  absence  without  leave,  be  made  to  me  inimedi* 
ately  after  the  parade  has  been  dismissed." 

"  Nay,  sir,"  said  the  ensign,  in  his  ordinary  voice  and  close  in  the  ea?  of 
the  speaker,  "  not  as  having  been  absent  from  duty,  I  trust.  I  am  not  aware 
that  I  have  ever  missed  a  guard  or  a  parade  yet,  without  your  leave." 

At  the  first  sound  of  his  voice,  the  surprised  commandant  had  turned 
quickly  ronnd,  and  there  encountered  the  usual  deferential  salute  of  bis 
subordinate. 

"  But,  Mr.  Ronayne,  what  means  this  ?  Where,  sir,  have  you  been  f  and, 
if  not  absent,  why  thus  late  ?  Do  you  know  that  the  men  have  already 
been  paraded,  and  that  when  required  for  your  guard,  you  were  not  to  be 
found  ?" 

"  The  fatigues  of  the  night,  Captain  Headley,"  returned  the  young  o£Soer, 
with  some  hesitation  of  manner ;  "  tlie  incessant  watching — surely  ther 

"  I  knew  be  had  not  been  out  of  the  Fort.  Courage,  Maria !"  was 
audible  to  the  tueu  who  were  nearest  to  the  speaker,  tVuni  Elmsley's  door- 
way. 

"  I   know  what  you  would' 
"  vou  would  offer  this  in  plea 

allowance  in  the  matter ;  but,  let  me  tell  you,  sir,  that  an  officer  who 
thoroughly  understands  his  duty,  and  cousultM  the  interests  of  the  service, 
would  Jake  light  of  the.se  matters,  in  cases  of  strong  emergency." 

"Poor  Ronayne!"  sighed  Maria,  to  her  friend.  "  Thi?  is  terrible  to  his 
proud  spirit.     In  presence  of  the  whole  of  the  men,  too  I" 

"  1  told  you,  my  dear,  there  would  be  a  row,  but  never  fear — Elmsley  is 
there.  See,  he  is  looking  significantly  at  us,  as  if  to  call  our  attention  to 
what  is  passing." 

The  lieutenant  had  been  no  less  astonished  than  the  captain,  at  ttie  unex- 
pected appearance  of  Ronayne — even  more  so,  indeed — because  he  had 
observed,  without,  however,  remarking  on  it,  the  cool  and  unhastened  pace 
at  which  he  moved  along  the  Sijuare,  from  tlie  direciion  of  the  mess-roum. 
"  Now  it  is  coming,"  he  thought,  and  half-murmured  to  himself,  as  he  saw 
the  crimson  gathering  on  his  brow,  during  the  last  harsh  address  of  his 
superior. 

"  Captain  Headley,"  said  the  young  man,  drawing  himself  up  to  his  fall 
height,  and  somewliul  elevating  his  voice,  for  he  had  remarked  there  ivere 


w 


urge,  Mr.  Ronayne,"  remarked  the  captain ; 
iv.i  your  late  appearance.    I  make  all  due 


^f 


'!^. 


72 


HAROSCRABBl.E  ;     OR, 


other  and  dearer  eyeo  upon  iiiin,  than  those  inaniediato.'y  aronnd.  ''  I  will  net 
be  Bpoken  to  in  this  manner,  before  the  men.  If  yot  think  i  have  been 
gQilty  of  a  breach  of  duty  or  of  discipline,  I  am  prepared  to  meet  your 
charges  before  the  prt>per  irihunal,  but  you  shall  not  take  the  liberty  of  thus 
addressing  me  in  public  parade.  My  swurd,  sir,"  and  lie  unbuckled  it,  and 
offered  the  handle,  "  is  at  your  di^^posai,  but  I  deny  your  further  right." 

"  No,  no,  no!"  shouted  several  men  from  the  rar:kn. 

"No,  no,  no!"  repeated  almost  every  man  of  the  iishing-party,  in  even 
more  energetic  tones,  while  the  commanding  otilcer  was  glancing  his  eye 
keenly  and  rapidly  along  the  little  line,  to  detect  those  who  had  set  the 
example  of  insubordination. 

"  Ugh  I  wah  !  good  soger  !"  came  from  one  of  a  small  party  of  Indians  in 
the  rear,  as  the  disconcerted  captain  turned,  frowningly,  from  the  men  in 
front  to  those  who  had  followed  him  from  the  orderly  room,  and  now  stood 
grouped  on  the  inner  tiank. 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  uU  this?"'  he  cried,  in  a  loud  and  angry  voice. 
"Am  I  braved  in  my  own  command,  and  by  my  own  men?  Mr.  Elrasley, 
who  are  these  Indians,  and  how  came  they  in  ?"  '/ 

"  They  are  a  part  of  the  encampment  without,  sir.  There  was  no  order 
given  against  their  admission  this  morning,  besides  it  is  Winnebeg,  and  you 
have  said  that  the  gates  of  the  Fort  was  to  be  open  to  him  at  all  hours." 

"Ah !  Winnebeg,  my  friend,  how  do  you  do.  1  did  not  know  it  was  you 
or  your  people.     You  know  you  are  always  welcome." 

"  How  do,  gubbernor,"  auswored  the  cldef,  coming  round  from  the  rear  of 
the  line,  and  taking  the  proffered  hand — "  'Spose  not  very  angry  now — him 
good  warrior — him  good  soger,"  and  he  pointed  to  the  young  subaltern. 

"  Ensign  Ronayne  is,  no  doubt,  very  sensible  to  your  good  opinion," 
remarked  the  captain,  with  evident  pique ;  "  but,  Winnebeg,  as  I  am  sure 
you  never  allow  a  white  man  to  interfere  with  you,  when  you  find  fault  with 
your  young  chiefs,  you  must  let  me  do  the  same." 

"  Wliat  find  him  fault  tor  ?"  asked  the  chief,  with  some  surprise  ;  "  brave 
like  a  devil!" 

"  Cai»tain  Headley,"  interposed  the  ensign,  with  some  impatience,  "  am  I 
to  surrender  my  sword,  or  resume  my  duty  ?" 

But  the  captain  eitlter  could  not,  or  would  not  give  a  direct  answer. 

"  Can  you  give  me  a  good  reason,  Mr.  Ronayne,  why  I  sliould  not  receiva 
your  swcrd  f  Do  you  deny  that  you  have  been  guilty  of  neglect  of 
•dutyl"  .     ._ .,     ^.^  „ 

"  In  what?"  was  the  brief  demand. 

"  In  being  absent  from  the  Fort,  without  leave,  sir." 

"  Indeed  1  To  substantiate  that,  you  must  bring  proofs,  Oaptain  Headley. 
Who,"  and  he  looked  around  him,  as  if  challenging  his  accuser,  "pretends  to 
have  seen  me  beyond  these  defences  ?" 

The  commandant  was  for  some  moments  at  a  loss,  for  he  had  not  antici- 
pated this  difficulty.  At  length  he  resumed.  "  Was  it  not  to  be  absent 
without  leave,  that,  when  the  guard  was  all  ready  to  be  marched  off,  you 
were  not  to  bo  found  ?" 

"  Had  the  guard  been  marched  off,  or  the  parade  even  formed,  I  should  of 
course,  have  come  justly  under  your  censure,  Oaptain  Ueadley ;  but  it  was 
not  bO — yv  ordered  the  parade  and  guard-mounting  for  a  later  hour.  I  am 
here  at  tliat  hour." 

"  Hem  I"  returned  the  commandant,  who  was  in  some  degree  obliged  to 
admit  tlie  justice  of  the  remark  ;  "you  defend  yourself  more  in  .the  spirit 
of  a  lawyer,  than  of  a  soldier,  Mr.  Ronayne,  but  all  this  difficulty  is  soon  set 
at  rest.  I  require  but  your  simple  denial  that  you  have  been  absent  from 
the  Fort,  within  the  la>*t  twenty-four  hours.    That  given,  I  hhall  be  satisfied." 

"  And  that,  sir,"  was  the  firm  reply  of  the  youtli,  "  I  am  not  disposed  ttt 
give.  I  am  not  much  versed  in  military  prudence,  Oaptain  Headley,"  he 
pursued,  after  a  few  momentH'  pause,  and  in  a  tone  of  flight  irony,  which  that 
officer  did  not  seem  to  perceive,  "but  ut "least  sufficient  to  induce  me  to 
reher\o  what  I  have  to  say  for  my  defence.     You  have  charged  me,  sir,  with 


THE     FALL    OF     DHICAGO. 


13 


haviag  been  absent  from  the  Fort  without  leave ;  iind  it  u  tor  you  tu  prove 
that  fact  before  a  competent  authurity." 

"March  oft'  your  guard,  Mr.  Ronayne,"  was  the  abrupt  rejoinder  •f  the 
eomiiiandant,  for  he  liked  not  the  continuation  of  a  scene  in  which  the 
advantage  seemed  not  to  reat  with  him,  but  with  the  very  party  whom  he 
bad  souglit  to  chaHten  ;  '*  Mr.  Ehnsley  dismiss  the  parade.  I  had  intended 
promoting  on  the  spot,  Oorporal  Nixon  and  private  Collins  for  their  conduct 
yesterday,  but  the  gross  insubordination  I  have  just  seen,  has  caused  me  to 
o)i;i.'>:M  my  mind.  Neither  shall  have  the  rank  intended,  until  the  guilty 
puvtie  are  named.  I  give  until  the  hour  of  j)arade  tt)-morrow  for  their 
production,  and  it,  by  that  time,  their  names  are  not  laid  before  me,  no  such 
promotion  shall  take  place  while  I  command  the  garrison.  Dismiss  the  men, 
sir.  Here,  Winnebeg,  my  good  fellow,  you  have  come  at  a  good  moment. 
I  have  dispatches  to  send  to  Detroit  this  very  evening,  and  I  know  no  one  I 
can  trust  so  well  us  yourself." 

*'  Good,"  was  the  answer,  "  Winnebeg  always  ready  to  do  him  order — ^no 
angry  more,  gubbernor,  with  young  chief,"  pointing  to  the  ensign,  as  he 
moved  off  with  his  small  guard.  **  Dam  good  soger — yon  see  dis  ?"  and 
he  touched  his  scalping-kuife  with  his  left  hand,  and  looked  very  signifi- 
cantly. 

"  No,  Winnebeg,  not  angry  any  more,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  but  how  do  you 
know  him  to  be  good  poger  t    What  has  your  scalping^knife  to  do  with  it?" 

'^  Winnebeg  know  all,"  said  the  chief  gravely,  as  he  laid  his  heavy  hand 
upon  the  shoulder  of  the  commandant,  **  but  can't  tell.  Young  chief  say 
no,  and  Winnebeg  love  young  chief." 

This  remark  forcibly  struck  Captain  Headley,  and  brought  back  to  bis 
mind,  certain  recollections.  He,  however,  asked  no  further  question,  bat 
pointed,  as  they  moved  in  the  direction  of  his  own  apartments,  towards  tbe 
sun,  showing  by  his  gesture  that  it  was  not  too  early  to  take  the  mid-day 
dram. 

"  Where  the  devil  have  you  been,  man,  and  with  what  confounded  irnpu- 
dence  you  got  through  the  scrape,"  was  remarked  at  a  distant  part  of  the 
same  ground,  and  at  the  same  moment  with  the  oonversatioti  just  given. 

*'  How  is  Maria  ?"  eagerly  asked  Ronayne.     ^*  When  shall  I  see  her  ?" 

"  Well  enough  to  hear  all  that  passed  between  you  and  Military  Prudence," 
returned  his  friend ;  "■  but  that  is  no  answer  to  my  question." 

**  There  was  nothing  like  braving  it,"  answered  the  other  evasively ;  *'  bat 
I  say,  Elrasley,  I  am  devilish  hungry,  that  breakfast  you  invited  me  to  last 
night  is  over  long  ago,  of  course."  This  last  sentence  was  uttered  in  a  mock 
piteous  tone. 

"Just  what  I  was  going  to  speak  about,  my  dear  boy.  We  have  bad 
nomber  one,  but  before  half  an  hour,  we  shall  be  seated  at  number  tioo. 
When  your  sergeant  lias  relieved  his  sentries,  come  over  and  you  will  find  a 
piping  hot  breakfast." 

"  Will  it  be  quite  consisteut  with  military  prudence  to  le.uve  my  guard  so 
soon,  after  the  lecture  I  iiave  had  ?"  remarked  the  ensign,  with  a  smile — 
"but,  all !  I  had  nearly  forgotten.  Elmsley,  I  must  say  a  few  words  to  you 
before  1  go  in,  and  a  better  opportunity  cannot  be  afforded  than  while  We 
are  walking  from  this  to  your  place.  Just  go  then,  and  ordei-  the  breakfast 
as  you  proposi',  and  return  iioro.  1  shall  have  completed  the  arrangoineiits 
of  the  guard  by  that  time,  and  all  that  1  have  to  ask  of  you,  can  be  answered 
as  we  go  along." 

"  1  hope  it  is  no  great  secret  you  have  to  impart,"  returned  the  lieutenant,' 
"  for  1  am  a  sad  hand  at  the  mysterious,  and  shall  be  sure  to  tell  tuy  wife,  if 
I  do  not  tell  Maria." 

"Not  you — you  will  tell  neither,  but  au  rflrt;i>."  ' 


"^r 


t!.^ 


1   O.;,'- 


74 


HAKDSOKABBLK  I     OR, 


f, 


'I.  I. 


V.J 


CHAPTER    X. 


At  the  moment  when  Ensign  Konayue  removed  his  i^word,  with  th« 
intention  of  handing  it  to  his  commanding  officer,  in  anticipation  of  the 
arrest  which  lie  expected,  Muria  ileywood.  little  oonversnnt  with  those 
military  formalities,  and  apprehending  from  the  previous  high  lone  of  her 
lover,  that  something  fearful  was  ahont  to  occur,  had  not  absoltiiely  fainted, 
but  become  so  agitated,  that  Mrs.  Elmsley  was  induced  to  take  her  back  to 
the  sofa,  on  which  she  had  previously  been  reclining.  As  slie  was  leaving 
her  chair,  Mrs.  Headley,  whose  attention  had  also  been  arrested  by  the  lood 
and  angry  voice  of  her  husband,  came  from  her  own  door  and  joined 
the  little  group,  anxioasly  inquiring  the  cause  of  the  disturbauoe  without. 

In  a  few  brief  sentences,  and  as  correctly  as  she  was  able,  Mrs.  Elnsley 
explained  to  her  the  circuiii8tancet>,  and  although  iter  attentive  auditor  offered 
no  very  pointed  remark,  it  was  evident  from  her  manner  that  she  deeply 
deplored  tliat  strict  military  punctilio,  which  had  led'the  husband  wiiom  alio 
'both  loved  and  esteemed,  to  place  himself  in  a  false  position  with  liis  own 
force — for  that  it  was  a  false  position  in  some  degree,  to  provoi^e  iusubordi* 
nation,  and  yet  be  without  the  power  to  punish  it,  she  had  too  much  good 
sense  not  to  perceive.  She  felt  the  more  annoyed,  because  she  had  on  more 
than  one  occasion,  observed  that  there  was  not  that  unanimity  between  her 
husband  and  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  which  she  conceived  ought  to  exist  between 
parties  so  circumstanced — a  commander  of  a  remote  post,  and  his  second  iu 
command,  on  whose  mutual  good  understanding,  not  only  tlie  personal 
Security  of  all  might  depend,  but  the  existence  of  those  sncial  relations, 
without  which,  their  isolated  position  involved  all  the  nnpleaaantneas  of  ft 
▼olontary  banishment.  This  had  ever  been  to  her  a  source  of  regret,  and 
she  had  on  several  occasions,  although  in  the  most  delicate  and  unobtrusive 
manner,  itinted  at  the  fact ;  but  the  man  who  doated  upon  her,  and  to 
whom,  in  all  other  respects,  her  desire  was  law,  evinced  so  much  inflexibilitj 
in  all  that  appertained  to  military  etiquette,  that  site  had  never  ventured  to 
ca^'ry  her  allusions  beyond  the  light  commentary  induced  by  casual  reference 
to  the  subject. 

If  tiien  she  lamented  that  unfortunate  coolness,  if  not  absolute  estrangement, 
which  existed  between  Lieutenant  Elmsley- and  her  husband,  how  much  more 
acutely  did  she  feel  the  difficulty  of  the  position  )m>w,  when  the  only  other 
responsible  officer  of  the  garrison — and  that  a  young  man  of  iiigh  feeling 
and  accomplishment,  whom  slio  had  ever  like'l  and  admired — was  fast  being 
led  into  tlie  same  antagonism.  Nay,  what  rendered  the  matter  more  painful 
to  her,  wa^i  the  fact  of  the  latter  being  the  lover,  or  perhaps  the  affianced 
of  a  girl,  wlit'Ui  she  regarded  with  u  fervor  not  often  felt  by  one  woman  for 
anotiier,  and  for  whose  interests  slie  could  have  made  wvery  sacritice,  not 
affecting  tiiose  of  iier  liusband. 

Such  wtre  ilie  women  wlio  were  now  seated  on  thu  ottoman,  engaged 
more  iu  tlieir  own  reflections,  tiiao  iu  conversation,  when  Lieutenant 
Elmsley  enteretl  the  room,  announcing  tljat  the  truant  would  shortly  be  in 
for  breai<f!ist,  wiiich,  he  requested,  inif^li:  be  instantly  prepared  in  the  usual 
uiaiiner,  only  adding  tfiereto  a  couple  of  bottles  of  claret. 

*'  Ah  I  pardon  uie,  Mrs.  ileadley,"'  he  acded,  somewhat  siilHy,  as  his  wife 
left  the  roi>iM  to  is>ue  the  ucce.ssary  orders,  •'  I  did  ni)t  sec  you,  or  I  should 
have  been  rather  more  cereinonious  in  my  domestic  ct)mnuiiiioatiun8.'' 

Mrs.  Headley  sliffhtly  colored.  She  vvas^en.Mble  that  pique  tnwards  her 
husband,  and  u  belief  that  she  wholly  shared  his  sentimouts,  had  induced 
this  rutlier  sarcar^tic  speech. 

"  By  no  means,  Mr.  Elmsley.  I  trust  you  uill  not  put  me  down  as  a 
etranger,  whatever  your  dispcsition  to  others. ' 

There  \va-  a  signiticanco  in  the  manner  in  which  this  was  said,  tuat  deeply 
touched  the  licuiuuant,  and  his  tone  immediately  changed. 

"Then,  I  luke  you  at  your  ""^d,"  he  said.     "  It  is  a  long  time  since  I 


/ 


THK     FALL    OK     CHICAGO. 


76 


have  had  the  pleasure  iif  souing  you  here,  and  you  must  positively  joia  our 
eeooud  breakfast.  1  kuow  C'uptuia  Ileadluy  id  engaged  with  VViQuebeg, 
whom  he  purposeH  uendiiig  oif  this  evoiiiug  with  deHpatchu^,  so  that  you  wilt 
Bot  bo  misaed  tor  at  least  au  hour.  There,  look  at  Aliss  Hey  wood's  iiuploriug 
look — siie  pleads  witti  her  eyes  iu  iny  favor,  although  there  is  uo  chaace,  ic 
appears,  of  getting  a  word  from  her  lips.'' 

"  Nay,"  remarked  the  other,  who  had  rallied  from  her  late  despondency, 
on  hearing  tlie  object  of  the  breakfaot;  '^you  are  very  unreasonable,  Mr. 
Elmaley.  You  do  nut  deserve  that  I  should  speak  to  you  to-day,  and  I  am 
not  qnito  sure  that  1  shall." 

'^And  pray,. fair  lady,  why  not?  Wherein  have  I  had  the  misfortune  to 
offend  r 

"Ahl  do  you  forget?  You  promised  to  bring  me  a  certain  report  of 
certain  occurrences,  and  yet  instead  of  that,  not  a  word  have  you  o^i' 
descended  to  address  to  me  until  this  moment." 

^*  i  plead  guilty,"  he  an^^wered  depreoatingly,  '*  but  pray  for  a  suspension 
of  sentence,  until  the  return  of  one  ttirough  whose  inHuence  1  hope  to  obtain 
your  pardon  !     I  go  now,"  lie  whispered,  "to  lead  him  to  your  feet." 

"  Well,  what  is  the  great  question  you  have  to  put  to  me  ?"  said  the 
lieutenant  to  bis  friend,  whom  he  had  rejoined,  aud  with  whom  be  now 
returned  slowly  tosvui-us  tlie  house — "  one  involving  a  case  of  life  and  death 
it  might  be  iniu^i  ..m,  from  the  long  face  you  put  on  when  alluding  to  the 
matter." 

"  Nay,  not  exactly  that,  but  still  involving  a  good  deal.  Tell  me  frankly, 
Rlrasley,  has  Miss  Heywood  beard  any  further  account  of  the  events  at  the 
farm-house  ?" 

*^  She  has  heard  the  report  brought  in  by  Nixon  and  the  rest  of  the  £  ^ing• 
party." 

^'  And  what  was  that,  I  pray  you  ?"  eagerly  returned  the  ensign.      •    .  t 

*^  That  Mr.  Heywood  had  been  carried  off  by  the  Indians."         .      i 

"  From  whom  did  she  hear  it?" 

**■  It  was  I  who  told  her,  on  the  strength  of  what  the  corporal  reported, 
not  only  to  myself^  but  to  Captain  Headley." 

*' You  are  a  considerate  fellow,  Elmsley,"  said  his  friend,  warmly  pressing 
his  hand.  ^'  I  thank  you  for  that,  and  now  that  the  great  question,  as  you 
term  it,  is  answered,  1  am  quite  ready  for  the  promised  breakfast.  Did  these 
fellows  bring  home  any  hbh  ?     1  have  ^  great  fancy  for  fish  this  morning." 

*^No;  they  brought  home  dead  men,"  and  .the  lieutenant  looked  searoh- 
ingly  into  the  face  of  his  companion,  dwelling  on  every  word,  moreover,  as 
if  he  would  convey  that  lie  (Itonayne),  knew  perfectly  well  what  freight 
the  boat  had  brought  to  the  Fort. 

Further  remark  was  prevented  by  their  arrival  at  their  destination — the 
front-door  being  open,  and  revealing  the  little  party  within.  The  first  upon 
whom  tlie  young  officer's  eye  fell,  was  Mrs.  Jrleadley,  of  whose  intended 
presence,  his  friend  had  not  thought  of  apprising  him.  Still  smarting  under 
n  keen  sense  of  the  severity  of  reproof  of  his  commanding  officer,  and 
falling  into  the  common  error  of  involving  the  wife  in  the  uuamiability  of 
the  husband,  Konayue  would  have  retired,  even  at  the  risk  of  losing  his» 
breakfasr,  and,  what  vvas  of  fur  more  moment  to  him,  of  delating  his 
meeting  with  her  to  whom  his  evt-ry  thought  was  devoted.  But  when  Mrs. 
Headley,  who  had  remarked  the  movement,  camu  forward  lo  the  door,  aud 
gave  him  her  hand  with  all  the  wjiriiitii  and  camlor  of  her  noble  naiure,  the 
piquo  vanished  Irom  his  mind,  and  in  an  instant,  he,  like  Elmsley,  evinced 
that  devotion  and  rogard  for  her,  which  her  fascinaLiug  manner  could  not 
fail  to  inspire. 

The  sense  of  oonsiraint  being  tlais  banished    ny    liie  only  one    whose 

Eresence  had  occasioned  it,  the  party,  after  a  few  minute-'  low  convcrsatiou 
etween  the  lovers,  yat  down  gaily  to  a  meal — hall- b.'e.iU last,  half-limcheon, 
at  which  the  most  conspicuous  actor  was  the  lately  reprimanded  ensign. 

"Really,  Mr.  Ronayne,  yon  must  have  met  wiili  a  perfect  chapter  of 
adventiu'cs  during  your  absence  last  night.     You  have  dt^voured  the  lust  four 

t 


te 


H.vBt»aCRAHBl,K  ;     OK, 


0 


fresh  eggd,  luy  couk  says,  there  were  in  the  house — three  limbs  of  a  prairie 
fowl,  and  nearly  the  half  of  a  young  bear  ham.  Do,  pray,  tell  us  where  you 
have  been  to  gain  such  an  appetite?  Indeed  you  must — I  am  dying  to 
know." 

"  My  dear  Mrs.  Elmsley,"  he  replied,  coloring,  "  where  should  I  have  been 
but  in  tiie  Fort  f" 

*^  True  I  where  should  yon  have  been,  indeed ;  but  this  is  not  the  point, 
my  hungry  gentleman.  Where  were  you?  If  I  was,  I  know  who,"  she 
added,  significantly,  '^  I  siiould  have  my  suspicions,  unless,  indeed,  you  have 
already  confessed  within  the  few  minuteH  you  have  been  in  the  room." 

'^  Nay,  do  not  imagine  I  have  so  much  influence  over  the  truant,  as  to 
compel  him  to  the  confessional,"  said  Maria  Hey  wood.  ''  I  assure  you  I  am 
quite  as  much  in  the  dark  as  any  one  present." 

"Come,  Mr.  Konayne,  recount  your  adventures,"  added  Mrs.  Headley. 
"  Recollect  yon  are  not  on  parade  now,  or  exactly  before  th  sternest  Oonrt 
of  Inquiry  in  the  world,  and  should  therefore,  entertain  no  dre^d  of  punish' 
ment  on  your  self-conviction." 

"  Thus  urged  and  encouraged,"  said  the  ensign,  during  one  of  the  short 
pauses  of  his  knife  and  fork,  which,  in  truth,  he  bad  handled  as  much  to 
study  what  he  should  say,  as  to  satisfy  his  hunger ;  "  who  could  resist  such 

{>leadiDg,  were  there  really  any  thing  to  communicate ;  but  I  am  quite  at  a 
OSS  to  conceive  wiiy  so  general  an  opinion  seems  to  prevail  that  I  have  been 
out  of  the  Fort,  and  in  quest  oi  adventure.  Why  not  rather  ascribe  ray 
tardiness  at  parade  to  some  less  flattering  cause — a  head-ache — fatigue  from 
night- watching — indolence,  or  even  a  little  entfeteraent,  arising  t'rojn  the 
denial  of  a  very  imprudent  request  I  made  to  Captain  Headley  last  evening, 
to  allow  me  the  command  of  a  detachment  for  a  particular  purpose.  Pardon 
me,  I  have  made  quite  a  speech,  but  indeed  you  compel  me."       ^ 

"  Let  us  drown  this  inquisition  in  a  bumper  of  clnret,"  interposed  £lmsley, 
coming  to  the  assistance  of  his  friend,  whose  motive  for  thus  parrying 
inquiry  into  his  conduct,  he  thought  he  could  divine.  "  I  say,  my  dear 
fellow,  you  may  wish  yourfielf  a  head-ache — fatigue — indolence,  or  even  a 
little  entdtement  every  morning  of  your  life,  if  it  is  to  be  cured  in  this 
manner.  This  is  some  of  the  most  splendid  Lafitte  that  ever  found  its  way 
into  these  western  wilds.  Look  well  at  it.  It  is  of  the  clearest,  the  purest 
blood  of  the  grape — taste  it  again.  ^  bottle  of  it  will  do  you  no  harm  if 
you  had  twenty  guards  in  charge." 

As  he  had  desired  and  expected,  the  introduction  of  his  remarks  on  the 
wine  proved  not  only  a  means  of  changing  the  conversation,  but  of  causing 
the  ladies  to  withdraw  from  the  table,  round  which  they  had  been  sitting, 
rather  to  keep  tiie  young  ofhcer  company,  than  to  participate  in  the  repast 
themselves.    Mrs.  Headley  was  tl>e  first  to  move. 

"  Give  me  your  arm,  and  see  n  iiume,"  she  said  carelessly,  to  Ronayne, 
who  now  having  finished  liis  breakfast,  had  ako  risen.  "  Do  not  be  jealous, 
my  dear  Miss  Heywood,  but  you  will  later  know,  if  you  do  not  know 
already,  that  the  wife  of  the  coinriianding  oflicer  always  appropriates  to 
herself,  the  liandsomest,  unmarried  young  oMcer  of  the  regiment." 

Both  Ronaytie  and  his  betrothed  were  too  quick  of  apprehension  not  to 


perceive,  under 


tills  ligl 


t,  gaiety,  a  deep  interest,  and 


a  desire  to  convey  to 
theui  both,  that,  if  unhappily,  there  did  not  exist  a  cordial  understanding 
between  her  liusbaud  and  the  former,  in  matters  purely  military,  and  in 
relation  to  subjects  which  should  have  nu  iiitinenoe  over  private  life,  she  was 
by  no  means,  a  party  to  the  disunion. 

"  Not  very  diliicult  to  choose  between  ilie  handsomest  and  the  cleverest 
of  the  unmarried  olficers  of  the  garrison  ot  Chicago,"  replird  Mtiria  Heywood 
with  an  etlort  at  ciieerfuhK-ss ;  '"therefore,  Mr.  Kouii^ue,  1  jidvise  you  not 
to  be  too  much  elated  by  Mrs.  Ueadley'c*  coiiipliuiunt.  Alter  that  caution,  I 
think  you  may  bu  trusted  wjth  her."  ' 

"  What  a  noble  creature,  and  what  a  pity  she  hus  so  cold  and  poinpous  a 
husband,"  remarki'd  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  as  Mrs.  Headley  disappeared  from 
the  door-way.     "  I  never  knew  her  no  well  as  tiiis  morning,  aud  upon  nay 


THE    FALL    OF    CmCAfiO. 


in 


word,  Margaret,  were  both  he  aud  yoti  uut  of  the  waj,  I  should  be  greatly 
tempted  to  fall  in  love  with  her." 

"You  would  act  wisely  if  you  did,  George;  I  have  aUays  thought  most 
highly  of  her.  She  is,  it  is  true,  a  little  reserved  ia  maaner,  but  that  I  an 
inre  comes  wholly  from  a  certain  restraint,  imposed  upon  her  by  her 
husband's  forinaliDy  of  character.  I  say  I  am  sure  of  this,  for  there  have 
been  occasious  when  I  have  seen  her  exhibit  a  warmth  of  address,  as  different 
from  her  general  demeanor,  as  liglit  is  from  shadow." 

'*  Perhaps  Headley  has  systematically  drilled  her  into  the  particalar 
bearing  that  ought  to  be  assumed  by  the  wife  of  the  commandant  of  a 
garrison." 

"  Nay,  George !  that  is  not  generous,  but  I  know  you  are  not  serious  in 
what  you  say.  Too  judge  Mrs.  Headley  better,  and  that  she  is  not  a  woman 
to  be  so  drilled.  She  has  too  much  good  sense,  despite  all  her  partiality  for 
her  husband,  to  allow  herself  ti)  be  imprup«rly  influenced,  where  her  judg- 
ment condemns;  and  although,  as  his  wife,  she  must  necessarily  act  fa 
concert  with  him,  it  by  no  means  follows  that  she  approves  unreservedly,  all 
that  he  does." 

*^  Yon  are  a  dear,  noble  creature  yourself!"  exclaimed  the  gratified  Elmsley, 
at  he  fondly  embraced  his  wife.  **  There  is  nothing  I  love  so  much  as  to  see 
one  woman  warm  in  the  defence  of  another — one  su  seldom  meets  with  that 
sort  of  thing.    What,  Maria,  tears  ?" 

"  Yes— tears  of  pleasure  I"  she  answered  earnestly,  as  she  held  her  hand- 
kerchief to  her  eyes — "  tears  of  joy  to  see  so  much  generosity  of  feeling 
among  tliose  whom  I  have  so  mnch  reason  to  esteem  and  admire.  You  aro 
right,"  she  pursued,  addressing  Mrs.  Elmsley,  '*  she  is  indeed  a  noble  woman. 
Perhaps  I  may  justly  be  accused  of  a  little  partiality,  for  I  never  can  forget 
the  frank  and  cordial  proffers  of  friendship  with  which  she  received  me  on 
the  first  night  of  my  appearance  here." 

"Ha!  Yon  Yottenberg  to  the  rescue  I"  exclaimed  Elmsley,  wii;!^  andden 
animation,  as  the  stout  figure  of  the  former  shaded  the  door- way.  ''  Well, 
doctor,  have  you  passed  away  in  the  evaporation  produced  by  fright, 
the  violent  head-ache  you  were  suffering  from  this  morning  f  If  not,  try 
that  claret.  It  is  capital  stufi^  and  a  tumbler  of  it  will  miue  up  for  the 
breakfast  you  have  lost." 

'^  Faith,  and  there  is  uo  breakfast  losi;  that  I  can  perceive,"  chuckled  the 
doctor,  seating  himself  unceremoniously  at  the  table,  and  commencing  upon 
the  remains  of  the  bear  ham,  and  prairie  hen." 

*'  I  fear  the  tea  and  coffee  are  cold,"  said  Mrs.  Elmsley ;  *'  let  me  get  some 
hot  for  you  ?" 

"  By  no  means,  my  dear  Mrs.  Elmsley,  I  could  not  think  of  such  slops 
with  generous  claret  at  my  elbow.  Nay,  do  not  look  offended.  Your  tea 
and  coffee  are  always  of  tlie  best,  but  they  do  not  just  now,  suit  my  taste. 
Miss  Hey  wood,  how  do  you  do  this  morning  ?  How  is  your  gentle  mother  I 
I  have  called  expressly  lo  see  her.  Elmsley,  where  is  that  runaway,  Ron- 
ayne  ?" 

Aud  where  indeed  was  he?  They  had  not  walked  more  than  three  or 
four  paces,  when  Mr.*.  Headley,  after  some  little  hesitation,  addressed  him 
thus : — 

"Mr.  Ronayno,  notwithstanding  youv  evident  desire  to  conceal  the  fact,  I 
can  plainly  see  that  you  were  not  within  the  Fort  last  night.  I  can  fully 
comprehend  that  your  motive  for  absenting  yourself,  has  been  praiseworthy, 
but  you  must  also  admit  that  the  reproof  you  met  with  this  morning,  was 
not  altogfther  undeserved.  Pniy  do  not  start  or  1  lok  grave,  for,  believe  me, 
I  am  speaking  to  you  only  as  a  iViend — indeed  it  was  to  liave  the  opportunity 
of  couviuclng  you  that  I  am  .<uch,  that  I  asked  you  to  escjrt  ine." 

"Really,  Mrs.  Headley,"  interrupted  the  young  officer,  little  divining  to 
what  all  this  was  to  tend,  and  feeling  not  altogether  at  Ijis  ease,  from  tt> 
abruptness  with  which  the  subject  had  been  introduced,  "  I  feel  as  I  ought, 
tiie  interest  you  profess  to  take  in  me,  but  how  is  that  connected  either  with 
my  asserted  absence,  or  the  reproof  it  entailed  ?"  .,  ^  ,  .    ! 


# 


X. 
It  i;< 


18 


HAKDSCRAHBLE  ;     OR, 


I- 


"  It  is  so  far  connected  with  it,  that  I  wish  to  point  ont  the  raeana  bj 
which  any  unpleasant  resnlt  may  be  avoided  I" 

"  Unpleasant  result !  Mrs.  Headley  ?"  "  "  . ';  '  ''  .'■'"  ''   " ':':  '"'^ 

"Yes,  unpleasant  result,  for  I  Lave  too  good  an  opinion  of  you  riot  to 
believe  that  any  thing  tending  to  destroy  the  harraqpy  of  our  very  limited 
society,  would  be  considered  such  by  you."  ...,.,        •         tii 

"I  am  all  attention,  Madam.    Pray,  proceed." 

"The  pithiness  of  your  manner  does  not  afford  me  much  encouragement, 
yet  I  will  not  be  diverted  ftom  my  purpose,  even  by  that.  You  have  liad 
the  Oommandant*8  lecture,"  she  continued,  with  an  attempt  at  pleasantry, 
"and  now  you  must  prepare  yourself  for  (pardon  the  coinage  of  the  term) 
that  of  the  Oommandantess." 

"  The  plot  thickens,"  said  the  ensign,  somewhat  sharply — "  both  the 
husband  and  the  wife.  Jupiter  Tcnans  and  Jnno  the  Snperb  in  judgnierit 
upon  poor  me  in  succession.  Aii  t  that  is  too  bad.  But  seriously,  Mrs. 
Headley,  I  shall  receive  with  all  due  humility,  whatever  oastigation  yon  may 
oboose  t(  inflict." 

"  No  castigation  I  assure  you,  Ronayne,  but  wholesome  advice  from  one, 
who,  recollect,  is  nearly  old  enough  to  be  your  mother.  However,  you 
shall  hear  and  then  decide  for  yourself." 

'  "  Although,"  she  pursued,  after  a  short  pause,  "  we  women  are  supposed 
to  know  nothing  of  those  matters,  it  would  be  difScnlt,  in  a  small  place  like 
this,  to  be  ignorant  of  what  is  going  on.  Hence  it  is  that  I  have  long  since 
remarke'd,  with  pain  and  sorrow,  the  little  animosity  which  exists  between 
Headley  and  yourself— (I  will  not  introduce  Mr.  Elmsley's  name,  because 
what  I  have  to  say  has  no  immediate  reference  to  himl  and  the  almost 
daily  widening  breach.  Now,  Ronay'ne,  I  would  appeal  to  your  reason. 
Place  yourself  for  a  moment  in  my  husband's  position.  Consider  his  yearb, 
nearly  double  your  own — his  great  responsibility  and  the  peculiar  schbol  of 
discipline  in  which  he  has  been  brought  up.  Place  yourself,  I  repeat,  in  his 
positiori,  and  decide  what  wduld  be  your  sentiments  if,  in  the  conscientious 
discharge  of  your  duty,  you  thought  yourself  thwarted  by  those  very  men 
— ^much  your  Juniors  both  in  years  and  military  experience — on  who^ 
«o-opet*ation  you  had  every  fair  reason  to  reiy." 

"  You  have,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley,  put  the  case  forcibly  yet  simply." 
returned  the  ensign,  who  had  listened  with  marked  deference  to  the  whole 
of  her  remonstrance.  ^^  In  such  a  case  I  should  feel  no  slight  annoyance, 
but  why  imagine  that  I  have  sought  to  thwart  Captain  Headley  ?"  '  " 

"  Was  it  not  apparently  to  thwart  him — bear  in  mind  I  speak  to  you 
dispassionately  and  as  a  friend — to  refuse  in  the  presence  of  the  whole 

garrison  this  morning  to  account  for  your  absence  of  last  night,  which  might 
ave  been  easily  explained,  had  you  been  so  disposed  ?" 
"  But,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley,  why  is  it  persisted  in,  that  I  was  absent — 
and  even  if  such  were  the  case,  might  not  I  have  had  a  good  reason  for 
refusing  to  commit  myself  by  the  avowal." 

"  Adu:itting  this,  could  you  iiave  maintained  your  position  without,  in  a 
measure,  setting  his  authority  at  defiance — thus  enct)uraging  the  men  to  do 
the  same.     Was  this  right,  I  ask  ?    Was  this  officer-like  ?" 

"  Well,  no,  perhaps  not.  I  bhish  not  to  make  the  admission  to  you,  for 
indeed,  there  is  no  resisting  so  bewitching  a  master  in  petticoats.  Yet,  what 
would  you  have  me  do?" 

"Ah,  now,  I  begin  to  entertain  some  iiope  of  you,"  slie  replied,  in  a  gayer 
tone,  placing  her  hand  at  the  same  time  familiarly  on  liis  shoulder  and 
looking  approvingly  in  his  face.  "Ronayne,  you  are  tMigageil — periiaps  will 
shortly  become  tlie  husband  of  the  noble  girl,  wlioui  1  h)ve  even  as  though 
she  were  my  own  daughter — yes,"  she  repeated  energetically,  as  she  felt  his 
grateful  pressure  of  her  hand,  "even  as  though  she  were  my  own  daughter 
— nay,  you  know  I  like  yourself  for  your  open,  although  rather  too  impetuous 
character.  Do  you  tlien  think  that  feeling  this,  it  <an  bo  any  other  than  a 
source  of  deep  pain  and  vexation  to  me  to  see  those  in  whom  I  feel  so  much 
interest,  alienated  from  each  other — in  some  degree  even  mutually  hating 
and  hated?" 


/ 


THK     KAU,    07     CHKUOO 


tf 


\i> 


"Yet,  what  would  you  have  nie  to  do,  my  flear  Mr-.  Hcadloy  ?  Some 
oonoession  I  suppose,  must  be  made.  Any  thing  in  ho.  or  and  in  reason  will 
I  do  for  your  sake,"  returned  tlie  youii^  offlivr,  doe|)ly  touched  y  her 
manner  and  language. 

"This  [  wisli  you  to  do,  Ronayne.  Take  tiie  first  favoiabio  opportunity, 
either  while  on  guard  to-day.  or  whun  relieved  tomorrow,  to  see  Headley 
privately,  and  by  such  lanuuajje  as  y«>u  well  kn(»w  how  tn  use.  remove  the 
unfavorable  impression  y<»u  have  left  on  liis  mind — depend  upon  it,  although 
extremely  cold  anil  intioxible  whoa  api'iirently  brave*!,  niy  hushiiud  has  a 
warm  and  generous — aye,  a  noble  heart,  and  will  freely  grant  wiiat  is  frankly 
solicited,  liear  in  mind,  moreover,  Ronayne,  that  it  is  no  humiliati(m  to 
admit  error  when  con.seioim  of  having  committed  it;  and  if  this  l)e  so  in  the 
social  relations  of  life,  liow  mucii  less  derogatory  is  it  in  a  military  sense." 

"  Say  no  more,  dearest  Mrs.  Headley,  since  it  is  your  wish,  I  will  go,  no 
matter  what  the  i-eceprion  I  encounter;  and  any  further  rebuke  I  may  meet 
witn,  I  will  cheerfully  endure  for  your  sake." 

"  Now  then,  Ronayne,  you  are  once  more  yourself,  the  generous,  high- 
minded  boy,  in  whont  I  delighted,  even  as  a  mother  wouM  delight  in  her 
son,  when  you  first  arrived  here  about  three  years  ago.  Yet,  recollect  that 
not  only  /shall  be  gratified  and  benefitted  by  this,  but  you  and  yours.  Let 
but  this  unhappy  discord  terminate,  and  we  shall  then  be  what  soldiers  and 
those  connected  with  them,  ought  ever  to  be — one  undivided  family.  And 
now,  for  the  present,  farewell." 

"  God  bless  you  1"  fervently  exclaimed  the  ensign,  as  he  took  his  leave  of 
the  graceful  and  noble  wife  of  the  commanding  officer,  with  emotions  that 
fully  testified  the  effect  produced  upon  him  by  her  generous  confidence  and 
candor. 

From  the  freqnent  reference  made  by  Mrs.  Headley  to  her  own  riper  years, 
one  might  have  been  induced  to  consider  her  rather  in  the  decline  of  life ; 
but  such  was  not  the  case.  Her  splendid  and  matronly  figure  might  indeied 
have  impressed  the  superficial  observer  with  the  belief  that  she  had  numbered 
more  than  forty  summers,  bnt  the  unchained  and  luxufiant  hair — the  white, 
even  and  perfect  teeth — the  rich,  full  lip,  and-  unwrinkled  brow,  and  smooth 
and  brilliant  cheek,  would  not  have  permitted  the  woman  most  jealous  of 
her  charms,  could  such  have  been  found,  to  pronounce  her  more  than  six- 
and-thirty,  whicl  was,  indeed,  her  age.  It  was  a  source  of  gratification  to 
her  to  consider  and  represent  lierself  As  older  than  she  really  was ;  and  if 
she  had  any  peculiarity — a  weakness  it  could  not  be  called — it  was  that  of 
loving  to  look  upon  those  younger  persons  who  claimed  a  place  in  her 
friendship  and  esteem,  as  though  she  actually  stood  in  the  maternal  relation 
to  them.  This  may  have,  in  some  degree,  arisen  from  the  fact  of  her  having 
ever  been  childless  herself. 

As  Ronayne  approached  Elinsley's  house  on  his  return,  a  remarkably 
liandsome  and  noble- looking  Indian — quite  a  youth — was  leaning  against  the 
frame  of  the  door,  and  avcording  to  the  simple  liabit  of  ids  race,  indulging 
his  curiosity  by  looking  at,  and  admiring  all  tliat  lie  beheld  within.  Elmsley 
himself  had  gone  out,  but  Von  VoLtenberg,  still  seated  at  the  break  fast- table, 
was  discussing,  with  its  remains,  the  now  nearly  finished  claret,  while  Mrs. 
Elmsley  and  Maria  Hey  wood  were  seated  on  the  sofa  opposite  to  the  door, 
passing  their  whispered  remarks  on  the  Iiidian,  whose  softened  dark  glances 
occasionally  fell  with  intense  admiration  on  the  former,  when  he  fancied  the 
act  unse.  .,  but  as  instantly  were  withdrawn,  when  he  perceived  that  it  waa 
observed. 

Mrs.  Elmsley  was  findeavoring  to  dissipate  the  dejection  of  her  friend  by 
rallying  her,  as  the  young  officer  came  to  the  door,  on  the  evidently  new 
conquest  alie  had  made.  The  Indian  turned  to  look  at  the  intruder  upon  his 
)leasant  musings,  when  a  "  wah !"  expressive  of  deep  satisfaction  escaped 
lim,  and  at  the  same  moment,  Ronayne  grasped.  And  cor<lially  shook  hia 
land. 

"Hal  there  is  his  formidable  rival,  and  seemingly  his  friend,"  whispered 
^rs.  Elmsley,  in  the  ear  of  Maria — "  liandsome  fellows,  l>otli  of  them,  Stf 

="-  ■    •~'-   ■•  .}  •r  r,    i^ti*    Miti^       '.-'•>   ■:,;  ';JW .  .-.j.tuj  ItilH 


tt 


HARDSORAHBLR   ;     OR, 


i'*'. 
^ 


n 


mnoh  so,  that  were  I  hii^Io,  like  ji>ii,  I  glioiild  Imve  Huiue  diffioiiUy  in 
choosing  between  them." 

As  phe  nttered  these  wonlp,  a  shnrp  an<l  iiria<ci>nnt«ble  nang,  sudden  and 
fleeting  fts  eleciricity,  bhot  tlirough  iJie  t'nune  of  her  friend.  Tlie  blood 
suddenly  receded  from  her  cheek,  and  tJien  nipidly  returning,  suffused  it  with 
a  burning  heat. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  my  love  ?  Are  yon  ill,  yon  looked  so  pale  just  now?" 
tenderly  in(]uired  Mrs.  Elmsley. 

'^1  cannot  account  for  what  I  experienced.  It  wbh  a  feeling  different 
from  any  I  had  ever  known  before — a  strange,  wihi,  and  inexplioublo  dread 
of  I  know  not  what.  But  it  has  passed  away.  Take  no  notice  of  it,  dear, 
before  Ronayne." 

''Mrs.  Elmsley,"  said  the  latter,  almost  using  force  to  induce  the  modest- 
looking  young  Indian  to  enter  the  room,  "  will  yon  allow  me  first  to  intro- 
duce my  friend  Wannangee  to  you,  and  then  to  give  him  a  glass  of  claret? 
Forgive  the  liberty  I  take,  but  I  confess  a  good  deal  of  obligation  to  him, 
and  would  fain  do  the  civil  in  return." 

"Indeed!  what  a  set  speech  for  a  glass  of  wine.  Give  it,  to  liira  by  all 
means,  if  it  is  only  for  his  beautiful  eyes — that  is  to  say,  if  the  doctor  has 
left  any — or  stay,  I  will  get  another  bottle." 

''  By  no  means,"  returned  the  young  officer,  '*  this  unconscionable  man 
bas  just  left  about  half  a  tumbler  full,  and  I  do  not  intend  he  shall  have 
more.    Waanangee,"  he  pursued,  after  filling  and  presenting  him  with  the 

Slass,  ''  that  is  the  lady  of  the  house,"  pointing  to  Mrs.  Elmsley,  "  you  must 
rink  to  her  health." 

''And  dis  you  handsome  squaw,"  remarked  the  Indian,  a  moment  or  two 
after  having  tossed  off  the  wine,  which  quickly  circulated  through  his  veins. 
*'  Dis  you  wife  f"  he  repeated,  throwing  his  expressive  eyes  upon  Miss 
Hey  wood,  while  a  rich  glow  lighted  up  his  dark,  but  finely  formed  features. 

"Husbl"  said  Ronayne,  making  a  sign  to  intimate  that  he  was  not  to 
indulge  in  such  observations. 

But  even  the  small  quantity  of  wine  be  had  taken  was  acting  potently  on 
the  fast  animating  Indian.  "  Dis  no  you  squaw — dis  Wannangee  squaw," 
he  said,  with  strong  excitement  of  <nanner.  ''  Wannangee,  see  him  beautful, 
Waunangee  got  warm  heart — love  him  very  much!" 

"  Tolerably  well  for  a  modest  youth  I"  exclaimed  the  laughing  Mrs. 
Elmsley.  "  Who  would  have  thought  that  one  with  those  soft  black  eyes, 
more  fitted  for  a  woman  than  u  man,  would  hazard  %o  glowing  a  speech, 
after  an  acquaintance  of  barc'ly  five  minutes  ?" 

"  Who  says  Chicago  doesn't  abound  in  adventure  ?"  sneered  Von  Votten- 
berg,  as  he  arose  and  passed  into  the  apartment  of  liis  patient.  "  I  shall 
certainly  write  a  book  about  this  when  I  get  bock  into  the  civilized  world, 
and  entitle  it  '  The  Loves  of  the  Uandsoino  Waunangee,  and  the  Beautiful 
American.' " 

"  You  had  better  wriie  '  The  Loves  of  the  Fni  Von  Vottenberg,  and  his 
Mistress,  Whisky  Punch,' "  remarked  Ronayne,  peevishly,  lor  in  spite  of 
himself,  he  felt  annoyed  at  an  observation,  wliich  lie  thought  delicacy  might 
have  spared.     ''  Come,  Waunangee,  my  good  friend,  we  must  jio." 

But  iho  young  Indian  was  nor,  so  easily  led.  •'  Waunangee  have  him  first 
dis  nice  squaw,"  lie  said,  with  all  that  show  of  dogged  obstinacy  which  so 
usually  distiuguisiies  liis  race,  when  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  and  bent 
upon  tiie  attainment  of  a  particular  object. 

"Hear  me,  Waunangee,"  replied  the  other,  placing  his  hand  upon  his 
shoulder,  and  now,  that  Mrs.  Elmsley  only  was  pre^^eut  with  his  afiianced, 
feeling  less  scruple  in  explainini;  to  the  young  savage—"'  that  is  my  squaw — 
my  wife." 

'  Why  you  no  tell  hiyi  so?"'  asked  ihc  youth,  gravely,  and  with  an  air  of 
reproach,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  fixed  his  soft  and  melancholy  eyes 
upon  Miss  lley  wood.  "  Waunangee  love  officer's  squaw — but  Waunangee 
good  heart.  Shake  him  hand,  my  friend,"  he  continued,  walking  up  to  her, 
and  tendering  his  own,  while,  singular  as  it  seemed  to  all,  a  tear  dimmed  hia 


THE     FAIX    or    UUIUAUU. 


81 


eye,  and  utole  down  hia  cliook.  "'Spuao  no  Wauuangce  wlfw — ym  Waa- 
nangoo's  friend  ?" 

The  geiiormia  but  trembling  girl,  hhook  conliully  tiie  li.ml  tbut,  tested  in 
lier  own,  uud  tkssured  llie  }uutii,  in  a  way  eik>ily  intelii^iMe  to  iiiin,  that,  as 
the  I'riend  o(  lier  huttbaud,  and  niie  blushed  deeply,  as  tliu  moment  afterwards 
she  became  Heiisible  ahu  IikI  used  a  word,  slie  uuuid  noi  but  feel  tu  be  prema- 
ture, slio  Would  always  regard  iiiin  with  frieiuLsliip  and  esteem. 

"  What  a  nice  little  Kceue  we  might  get  np  out  o(  this  morning's  adven- 
ture," said  llio  ever  guy  Mr».  Elmnle},  as  Waunaiigeo,  after  having  shaken 
hands  with  herself,  <leparted  with  liouuyne.     "  lieally,  my  dear,  lie  is  a  flue 

looking,  and  certainly  a  warm-hearted  fellow,  that  Wau— Wan what's 

his  name,  Maria  V 

"  Wauuangee.  I  know  not  how  it  is,  Margaret,  or  why  I  should  attach 
HO  much  importance  to  the  thing,  but  if  ever  those  glimpses  of  the  future, 
called  presentiments,  had  foundation  in  trutli,  that  young  Indian  is  destined 
to  exercise  some  sort  of  influence  over  my  fate."  ^ 

'^  You  do  not  mean  that  he  is  to  supplant  Ronayne,  I  hope,"  returned  her 
friend,  trying  to  laugh  her  oat  of  the  serious  mood,  in  which  she  seemed  so 
much  inclined  to  indulge. 

^'  Uow  can  you  speak  so,  Margaret  ?  No,  mv  presentiment  is  of  a  different 
character.  But  it  is  very  foolish  and  silly  to  allow  the  feeling  to  weigh  with 
me.  I  will  try  to  think  more  rationally.  Say  nothing  of  this,  however,  and 
least  of  all  to  Konayne." 

"  Not  a  word,  dearest.  Good  bye  for  the  present.  I  must  look  after  the 
dinner.    You  know  who  dines  with  us." 

A  look  expresisive  of  the  deep  sense  she  entertained  of  the  consideration 
of  her  friend,  was  the  only  commentary  of  Miss  Heywood,  as  she  passed 
into  her  mother's  apartment. 

^  V.  '    .:!■,:■    1     '.  .      !  „(  Mlu-} 

'■«';•■  *i  '>•■  .•■//    1   _         .•.(  ..^     ,    '  ■  cum;   ijjjji 


?/.iif  <■ 


OHAPTER    XI. 


r.H*-.     vl 


J 


It  was  now  the  middle  of  May.  A  month  had  elapsed  since  the  events 
detailed  in  the  preceding  chapters.  The  recollection  of  the  outrage  at 
Hey  wood's  farm,  committed  early  in  April  was  fast  dying  away,  save  in  the 
bosoms  of  those  more  immediately  interested  in  the  fate  of  its  proprietor, 
and  apprehensions  of  a  repetition  of  similar  atrocities  had,  in  a  great  lueusure, 
ceased.  A  better  understanding  between  the  commanding  officer  and  his 
subordinates — tlie  result  of  a  long  private  interview,  which  Ensign  Ronayne 
had  had  with  the  former,  on  the  morning  after  his  promise  to  Mrs.  Ueadley, 
followed  by  an  apology  on  parade  that  day,  had  arisen.  Corporal  Nixon  was 
now  Sergeant  Nixon — Oollins  had  succeeded  to  him,  and  Le  Noir  and  the 
boy — Oatholic  and  Protestant — had  been  buried  in  one  grave.  Ephraim 
Giles  filled  the  office  of  factotum  to  Von  Vottenberg,  whose  love  of  whisky 
punch,  was,  if  possible,  on  the  increase.  Winnebeg,  the  bearer  of  confi- 
dential despatches,  announcing  the  liostile  disposition  and  acts  of  certain  of 
the  Wiunebagoes,  had  not  returned,  and  Waunangee,  who,  recovered  from 
the  fumes  of  the  claret,  had,  iu  an  earnest  manner,  expres^^ed  to  Ronayne 
contrition  for  the  liberty  he  had  taken  with  Miss  Heywood,  had  departed 
from  the  neighborhood,  no  one  knew  v/hither.  Harmony,  in  a  word,  had 
been  some  days  restored  in  tli6  Fort,  and  the  only  thing  that  detracted  from 
the  general  contentment,  was  the  uncertainty  attending  the  fate  of  Mr. 
Heywood — regretted  less,  however,  for  his  own  sake,  than  for  that  of  his 
amiable  daughter,  who  vainly  sought  to  conceal  from  her  friends,  the  anxiety 
induced  by  an  absence,  tbe  duration  of  winch  it  was  utterly  impossible  to 
divine.  As  for  Mrs.  lieywood,  she  was  still  in  iguorauce,  so  well  had  things 
been  managed  by  the  Elmsleys,  that  any  of  the  fearful  scenes  had  occurred. 
She  still  believed  her  husband  to  be  at  the  farm. 

But,  as  it  was  not  likely  she  could  much  longer  remain  in  ignorance  of 
what  had  been  the  subject  of  oonveraation  with  every  one  around  her,  it 


% 

af 

n 


82 


llAKDSCUAUUMi:   1     OK, 


wRB  udvii^ed  by  Von  Votteiiberg,  that,  iis  tlie  wniintli  of  spring  wu8  now 
fully  developed,  nrul  all  droad  of  tlio  Itidinns  resinning'  >licir  liostile  visit,  at 
an  end,  sliu  tiliould  bo  conveyed  luick  u»  tlic  cottngo,  tli<-  piiru  Aii'  around 
which,  was  much  more  likely  to  improve  lier  l<".>.l:!r,  <'un  ihe  coutiiiud 
uttnoHphurv  ut' thti  I'ort.  8ho  Imd  iircordinjjly  bcti.  ii!..')ved  thither  early 
in  May,  accompanied  by  lier  daiiKhtur  and  Catherine. 

lionayue,  of  course,  become  once  more  a  daily  visi;.  ,  ann  Aoon  beneath 
his  hand,  the  garden  he^an  ugnin  to  ui^^uuie  tlie  beautitul  ^arb  it  'ad  worn 
at  that  8ea^un,  for  the  hiMt  ivvu  year;*.  The  iutervieWH  of  tiie  lovers  here, 
freed  from  the  reutruints  imposed  upon  tliein  wlule  in  the  Fort,  had  resumed 
that  fervent  character  which  had  marked  them  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day 
when  they  8o  mdemnly  interchanged  their  vows  of  undying  faith.  They 
now  no  longer  merely  looked  their  love.  They  spoke  of  it — drank  in  the 
aweet  avowal  from  each  others  lips,  and  luxuriated  in  the  sweet ;  leasuru  it 
imparted. ^Tliey  were  as  the  whole  world  to  each  other,  and  although 
language  could  not  c«)nvey  a  warmer  expression  of  their  feelings,  than  liad 
already  gone  forth  from  their  lips,  still  wa^  the  repetition  replete  with  a 
sweetness  that  never  palled  upon  the  ear.  Like  the  man  who  never  tires 
of  gazing  upon  his  gold,  so  did  tbey  never  tire  of  the  treasures  of  the 
expressed  love,  that  daily  grew  more  intense  in  their  hearts.  And  yet, 
notwithstanding  this  utter  devotedness  of  soul — notwithstaning  her  flattering 
heart  confessed  in  secret  the  fullest  realization  of  those  dreams  which  baa 
filled  and  sustained  her  in  early  girlhood — albeit  the  assurance  the  felt  that, 
in  Ronayne,  she  had  found  the  impersonation  of  the  imaginings  of  tier 
maturer  life,  still  whenever  he  urged  her  in  glowing  language  to  name  the* 
day  when  she  would  become  hid  wife,  she  evaded  an  an!>wer,  not  from 
caprice,  but  because  she  would  not  bring  to  him  a  heart  clouded  by  the 
slightest  tinge  of  that  anxiety  with  which  ignorance  of  her  father's  fate, 
could  not  fail  to  shade  it.  A  painful  circumstance  which  happened  about 
that  period,  at  length,  however,  brought  atfairs  to  a  crisis. 

It  was  a  lovely  evening  towards  the  close  of  May,  and  af^er  a  somewhat 
sultry  morning  which  had  been  devoted  to  a  ride  on  horseback  along  the  lake- 
ahore — Mrs.  Headley  and  Mrs.  Elmsley,  who  had  accompanied  them,  having 
returned  home,  that  Ronayne  and  his  betrothed  sat  in  the  little  summer- 
Louse  already  described.  Mrs.  Hey  wood  who  had  been  so  far  recovered 
from  her  weakness  by  the  change  of  air,  as  to  take  slight  exercise  in  the 
garden,  supported  by  her  daughter,  and  the  young  ofBcer,  had  on  this 
occasion  expresr^ed  a  wish  to  join  them,  in  order  that  she  might  inhale  the 
soft  breeze  that  blew  from  the  south,  and  enjoy  once  more  the  scenery  of 
the  long  reach  of  the  river,  which  wound  its  serpentine  course  from  the 
direction  of  the  farm.  To  this  desire  no  other  objection  was  offered,  than 
what  was  suggested  by  her  companions,  from  an  apprehension  that  the 
fatigue  of  the  accent  v^ould  be  loo  great  for  her.  She,  b(»wever,  persisted 
in  her  wish,  declaring  that  she  felt  herself  quite  strong  enough — an  assertion 
for  which  her  returning  color  gave  some  evidence.  They  ceased  to  oppose 
her.  It  was  the  first  time  the  invalid  had  been  in  the  summer-house,  since 
the  same  period  the  preceding  spring,  and  naturally  associating  the  recollec- 
tion of  her  husband,  with  the  familiar  objects  in  the  distance,  she  took  her 
daughter's  hand,  and  said  in  a  low  and  husky  voice,  that  proved  how  much 
abe  bad  overrated  her  own  strength  : 

^^  How  is  it,  Maria,  my  love,  that  we  have  seen  nothing  of  your  father, 
lately  ?  I  have  never  known  him,  since  we  have  been  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  to  be  bo  long  absent  from  us  at  one  time.'* 

*^  Nay,  dear  mamma,"  returned  the  pained  girl,  the  tears  starting  to  her 
eyes,  in  spite  of  her  efforts  to  restrain  them,  '^  T  do  not  exactly  know 
what  can  detain  him.  Perhaps  he  is  not  at  the  farm,''  and  here  her  teari» 
forced  their  way — "  you  know,  dearest  mamm'a,  that  he  is  very  fond  of 
long  hunting  excursions." 

"  Yes,  but,  my  child,  why  do  you  weep  t    Surely  there  is  nothing  in  that 
to  produce  such  emotion.    He  will  soon  be  back  again." 
,.    "  Oh  1  yes,  I  hope  so.    Forgive  me,  my  dear  n^amma,  bat  I  have  a  very 


to 


TliR     KAI.L     OK     CHICAOO. 


88 


"  I  tool  M  if  I  had 
ittlo  while  h)nger, 


bad  hfad'Aohe,  and  never  felt  mor"  norvoti*  tlcni  I  do  thirf  ovening.  Pnrhapti 
it  is  the  otfoct  of  ruy  rido  in  the  lieal  of  tho  sun.  SImll  we  pt  on.  It  It 
nearly  tuinsor,  and  I  Wraad  yotir  b«ir\g  oxposod  t(t  tho  iiij;ht-ftir." 

"Oh!  it  is  8o  <iolicit)n!*,"  Hofiiy  ronirnod  tlio  inviuii 
not  lived  tor  the  loftt  twelve  irumths,  until  iinw.     Only  a 
sImiII  I  not,  Mr.  lioimyne?     Perlmi)s  I   iniiy  never  have  an  opportunity  of 
atccndiiig  tu  ihiH  suinnier-honae  aguin." 

Dining  this  short  conversation,  tritling  in  itHelf,  hut  conveying,  nuder  the 
oircuiustnnces,  so  much  subject  for  dee|)  and  painful  reflections,  the  young 
officer  had  evinced  njuch  restlessness  of  manner,  yet  without  interptming 
any  other  remark  than  to  join  Miss  Ileywood's  entreaties  that  her  mother 
would  Btitter  horself  tu  be  conducted  homo,  before  ttie  dew  should  begin  to 
fall.  lu  order,  moreover,  as  much  as  possible  to  leave  them  uninterrupted  in 
the  indulgence  of  their  feelings,  he  had  from  the  first  risen,  and  stood  with 
his  back  to  them,  within  the  entrance  of  tlie  summer  house,  and  was  now, 
with  a  view  to  drown  their  conversation  to  his  own  ear,  whistlin^to  Loup 
Qarou,  sitting  on  his  haunches  outside  the  garden-gate,  looking  fixedly  at 
fdm. 

Touched  by  the  account  he  liad  received  of  the  fidelity  of  the  dog,  he 
had,  with  the  consent  of  Sergeant  Nixon,  who  was  glad  to  secure  for  his 
favorite  so  kind  a  protector,  become  possessed  of  him  from  the  moment  ot 
his  retin-n  home ;  and  time,  whicti  had  in  some  degree  blunted  the  sorrow 
of  the  animal  for  the  loss  of  one  master,  rendered  equally  keen  his  instinct 
of  attachment  for  the  other.  Within  the  month  lie  had  been  his,  every  care 
bad  been  taken  by  Konayne  himself,  as  well  as  by  his  servant,  to  wean  the 
moorner  from  tho  grave  of  Le  Noir,  on  which,  for  the  first  few  days,  he  had 
lain,  absorbed  in  grief— refusing  all  food,  nntil,  yielding  at  length  to  the 
voice  of  kindness,  his  memory  of  the  past  seemed  to  have  faded  wholly 
away. 

Bonayne,  however.  fVom  a  fear  of  exciting  unpleasant  recollections  in 
those  who  were  not  ignorant  of  the  former  position  of  the  dog,  had  endea- 
voured as  much  as  possible,  to  prevent  him  from  crossing  the  river  during 
his  visitti  to  the  cottage  ;  but,  within  the  last  four  or  five  days,  Loup  Garou 
would  not  thus  be  kept  back,  and  when  expelled  from  the  boat,  had  swam 
across,  taking  up  his  station  at  the  gate,  beyond  which,  however,  he  did  not 
presume  to  pass,  as  if  sensible  that  the  delicate  parterres  within,  were 
interdicted  ground,  and  there  generally  lay  squatted  with  his  nose  resting  on 
the  grass,  between  bis  outstretched  fore-paws,  nntil  his  master  came  forth 
on  his  return  home. 

The  unexpected  and  encouraging  wliistle  of  the  latter  on  this  ocoa«iou, 
which  had  been  given  in  pure  unconsciousness,  caused  him  to  prick  his  ears, 
and  uttering  a  sharp  cry,  he  sprang  over  the  gate,  bounding  rapidly  towards 
the  eminence  on  which  his  master  stood.  About  half-way  between  its  base 
and  the  summit,  there  was  a  beautiful  rose-bush  vhich  had  been  planted  by 
Ronayne,  and  from  whioii  he  had  plucked  two  li  >wer8,  for  the  mother  auM 
daughter,  during  the  ascent,  and  presented  with  a  hand  that  was  observed 
by  Maria  lleywood  to  tremble,  and  a  cheek  unwontedly  pale. 

On  arriving  opposite  the  rose-tree,  the  animal  suddenly  stopped,  and 
putting  his  nose  to  the  ground  clo.se  under  it,  and  sniffing  almost  furiously, 
uttered  a  prolonged  and  melancholy  liowl,  while,  with  his  fore-paws  he 
began  to  scratch  up  the  loose  earth  around,  regardless  of  the  voice  of 
his  master,  wlio  renewed  his  whistling,  and  called  upon  him  almost  angrily 
to  desist. 

Alarmed  at  this  perseverance  of  action,  the  ensign  descended  to  the  spot 
— laid  hands  on  Loup  Garou,  and  sought  to  remove  him,  but  the  animal, 
strong  of  neck — full  in  the  chest — and  on  the  present  occasion,  under  the 
influence  of  furious  impulse,  was  not  to  be  restrained. 

The  moaning  of  the  dog — the  descent — the  corrective  voice  of  his  master, 
and  the  seeming  struggle  of  both  to  attain  opposite  purposes,  naturally 
attracted  tho  attention  of  those  above,  .and  they  both  ro!>e  and  neared  to  the 
door-way  Ronayne  had  so  recently  quitted.     Their  horror  may  well   be 


s. 


s 


u 


HABDSCRABBLE  ;     OR, 


imagined  when,  on  looking  down,  they  found  that  the  dog  hnd  alreAdy 
uncovered  a  human  body,  which,  though  disfigured  and  partially  decotiiposed, 
filial  and  conjugal  affection  too  clearly  dit^tinguis-hed  as  tlie  fattier  of  tiie  one, 
tlie  husbaud  of  tiie  other  I 

Uttering  a  feeble  shriek,  Mrs.  Hey  wood  fell  insensible  wiliin  the  thres- 
hold of  the  summer-house,  wliile  her  diinghter,  hss  overwlx  ''iied,  hut  with 
feelings  impossible  l>i  describe,  stooped  mid  chafed  her  mothers  Vmples,  and 
notwithstanding  a  honid  thought,  wiiicli,  despite  her  own  will,  ^iiot  through 
her  mind,  that  the  man  to  whom  she  had  ^iveu  every  affection  ni  lier  heart, 
was  in  some  degree  ci'.mocted  with  this  iioriid  spectarle,  she  cidled  vehe- 
mently to  him  for  assiiJi.uice. 

The  situation  of  the  perplexed  officer  was  scarcely  less  painful.  On  the 
one  hand,  feeling  all  the  necessity  of  retaining  his  grasp  of  Loup  Garou,  as 
the  only  means  of  preventing  him  from  fiutiier  uncovering  of  the  body — on 
t'le  other,  urged  by  Uie  summons  of  iier,  whom  he  knew,  from  her  very 
manner,  to  be  in  possession  of  this  fearful  secret,  his  mind  become  a  perfect 
chaos,  and  large  drops  of  perspiration  streamed  from  his  brow.  In  tliis 
irritating  dilemma,  a  sudden  transport  of  rage  took  possession  of  his  heart, 
and  seizing  Loup  Garou  with  both  his  hand^^,  he  so  compressed  them  around 
his  throat,  that  the  dog,  already  exhausted  with  hi.-)  exertions,  was  half- 
strangled  before  being  raised  with  a  frantic  effort,  and  dashed  with  violence 
upon  the  body  he  had  so  unhappily  been  instrumenud  in  discovering. 

Scarcely  had  this  been  done — a  low  moaning  from  Lonp  Garou,  as  if 
reproaching  him  for  the  act,  alone  denoting  that  he  breathed,  when  the 
ensign  fiew  up  the  steps  of  the  summer-uouse,  and  regardless  of  the 
involuntary  half-shudder  of  his  betrothed,  as  he  approached,  caught  the 
iusensible  invalid  in  his  arms,  and  so  carrying  her,  that  her  eyes,  if  she 
should  ope  A  them,  could  not  encounter  the  horrid  spectacle  below,  again 
rapidly  descended,  and  hurried  towards  the  house.  Maria  Heywood,  on 
passing  the  rose- tree  so  recently  prized,  bnt  now  so  abhorrent  to  her  sight, 
could  not  resist  a  strong  impulse  to  look  upon  the  mysteries  so  strangely 
unveiled,  but  although  the  twilight  had  not  yet  passed  away,  nothing  could 
be  seen  but  the  displaced  earth,  and  stretched  over  the  excavation  he 
himself  had  made,  the  motionless  body  of  the  dog. 

Sick  at  heart,  and  with  wild  and  unconnected  images  floating  through  her 
heated  brain,  she  followed  almost  mechanically  to  the  cottage. 

This  was  no  time  for  ceremony.  When  answering  the  h>ud  ring,  Catherine 
ai;peared  iiurriedly  at  tli«  door,  Ronayne  bore  his  inanimate  charge  into  her 
bed-room,  and  in  silence  nnd  deep  grief,  sought,  by  every  means  in  his 
power,  to  restore  her.  Bui  all  his  efforts  proving  vain,  he,  in  a  st^te  of  mind 
difficult  to  describe,  to^e  a  leaf  from  his  pocket-book,  wrote  a  few  hurried 
lines  to  Elmsley,  requesting  him  to  allow  his  wife  to  come  over  immediately 
with  Von  Vottenberg,  and  when  they  hud  departed,  to  call  upon  Captain 
Headley  and  explain  the  cause  of  his  absence.  Tliis  note  he  gave  to 
Catherine,  with  instructions  to  cross  in  the  bout  which  was  waiting  for 
himself,  and  to  return  with  Mrs.  Elmsley,  or  if  she  did  did  not  come,  with 
the  doctor. 

When  left  together,  beside  the  insensible  body  of  Mrs.  Heywood,  the 
lovers  experienced  for  tht)  first  time,  u  feeling  of  restraint,  for  in  the  heart* 
of  both,  were  passing  tlioughts  which  neither  seemed  desirous  of  imparting. 
But,  Maria  Ueywood,  gentle  as  she  was,  was  nut  of  a  character  h)ng  to 
endure  the  state  of  uncertainty  under  which  she  labored.  The  strange 
wild  apprehensions  which  had  aii-on,  sho  knew  not  how  or  why,  had  so 
preyed  upon  her  quiet,  that  suspense  became  inioleruble,  and  at  length, 
addressing  her  lover  in  a  voice,  never  mure  melancholy  or  touching  than  at 
that  moment,  and  looking  at  him  with  an  expression  of  deep  sadness,  while 
the  large  tears  trickled  down  her  cheeks. 

"Ronayne,  you  know — you  must  have  known  —  your  whole  conduct 
tbrougliont  this  affair,  proves  you  must  have  known  of  my  poor  father's 
death,  and  of  his  rude — almost  insulting  burial  in  that  fatal  spot.  How  ho 
oame  hither,  you  best  can  tell.    Oh  t  Harry,  it  is  very  cruel  thus  to  have 


THB    FALL    OF    CHICAGO. 


85 


I 


reposed  tlie  cunfidence  of  the  eutire  soul,  and  then  to  have  been  disappointed. 
This  cruel  discovery  will  be  the  means  of  destroying  ray  peace  forever, 
unless  you  give  the  explanation  which  alone  can  restore  our  conlidenoe  ia 
each  other — yet  how  can  I,  with  these  glaring  truths  betbro  my  oyy,  expect 
that  you  will?" 

"In-ulting  burial!  oh,  Maria,  I  feel  that  I  never  loved  you  more  than  now 
when  vou  would  break  uiy  heart  with  this  unkinduess."  He  bent  his  head 
upon  the  same  pillow,  upon  which  reclined  the  unconscious  hetid  of  the 
mother  of  the  woman  whom  he  so  ardently  loved,  und  wept  tears  of  bitter- 
ness and  sorrow. 

"  I  cannot  stand  this,  Rouayne,  dear  Ronayne,  whatever  yon  be — whatever 
you  may  liave  done,  I  love  you  with  all  the  ardor  of  the  most  devoted  soul  I 
but,"  she  continued,  more  composedly,  "  forgive  me,  if  my  fe^'ings  and  my 
judgment  aru  at  issue.  One  ({uestion  1  must  ask,  cost  what  it  may,  for  I 
cannot  longer  endure  this  agony  of  suspense — no,  for  your  sake  I  cannot 
endnre  it.  How  is  it  that  you  have  always  made  a  secret — a  mystery  even 
to  me,  of  the  motive  of  your  absence  on  that  fatal  night  succeeding  the 
massacre  at  the  firm." 

"Dear  Maria,  I  can  w ell  forgive  the  question  in  the  excitement  whioh 
must  have  been  produced  in  yon  by  the  startling  events  of  this  evening." 

"  Ronayire,"  .vhe  luournfully  interrupted — "your  sudden  interference  with 
the  dog — your  siriitrglo  with  him — nay,  your  very  manner  of  speaking  now, 
cxiivince  me  tluii  you  knew  my  father  lay  buried  beneath  that  rose-tree.  Ia 
candor,  answer  my.     Yes  or  no." 

"  And,  admitting  I  had  had  that  knowledge,  Maria — can  you  imagine  no 
good  reason  for  my  forbearing  all  allusion  to  the  subject  ?" 

"  Yet,  why  couceal  the  fact  from  one  who  had  su[>po3ed  you  could  hare 
no  concealment  from  her — and  then  again,  how  am  I  to  reconcile  the 
circumstance  of  tny  poor  father  having  been  reported  to  be  a  prisoner — a 
report  which,  sanctioned  by  yourself,  left  me  not  utterly  hofteletis — and  the 
fact  of  his  burial  here — evidently  with  your  knowledge." 

"Maria,"  returned  Ronayne,  impressively,  and  with  an  expression  of  much 
pain  at  the  remark,  "  as  I  h;ive  already  said,  1  can  make  every  allowance,  in 
recollection  of  the  painful  scene  of  which  I  Lave,  in  eonie  degree,  been  the 
cause,  but  is  it  generous — is  it  quite  appreciating  my  character  and  my 
feelings  towards  yourself,  to  doubt  that  I  had  intended  from  the  Orst,  and  at 
a  lifting  moment,  to  explain  every  thing  to  you?" 

Again  was  the  conddenoe  of  the  generous  girl  established,  and  with  almost 
passionate  warmth,  she  exclaimed.  "  Oh  I  Ronayne,  forgive — forgive  me, 
but  this  melancholy — this  harrowing  occurrence  has  made  me  so  far  not 
myself — that  I  almost  hate  myself.  Tell  me,  dear  Ronayne,  do  you  forgive 
me  ?'" 

"  Yes,  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul,  do  I  forgive  you,  and  yet,  dearest, 
there  is  nothing  to  forgive,  for  how  could  it  be  otherwise,  than  that  your 
ptior  and  sorely  tried  heart  slionld  be  subjected  to  wild  imaginings  inexplicable 
t^  yourself.  The  ordeal  to  vhich  you  have  been  submitted,  is  u  severe  one, 
but  1  am  sure  your  oppressed  heart  will  be  greatly  lightened  when  you  shull 
have  been  in  possession  of  tiie  truth  connected  witli  this  most  melanclioly 
alFiiir — your  regard  for  n)e,  will  if  possible,  be  even  greater  than  before. 
Pardon  this  seeming  vanity.  I  make  the  assertion  because  I  kuow  it  will 
not  a  little  const)le  you,  under  this  terrible  infliction." 

It  wii.-  a  strange  sight,  that  of  these  lovers,  hitherto  so  devoted  and  now 
only  temporarily  Ijidf-doubting,  talking  of  the  fate  of  one  parent  while 
leaning  over  the  apparent  death-bed  of  the  other. 

"  Ronayne,  dear  Ronayne,  I  ain  satisfied — fully,  wholly  satisfied,  and  as 
you  observe,  tii*i  assurance  which  you  have  now  given  me,  will  form  ray 
chief  support  undei'  ihis  double  affliciion,"  and  she  pointed,  weeping,  to 
her  motlier,  whose  scarcely  perceptible  breathing  alone  attCaLed  that  she 

lived. 

'\  Maria,"  he  said  tenderly  anil  gravely,  as  he  took  her  hand  in  his,  ovei 

6 


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'M 


86 


HARDSCRABBT.R  ;     OR, 


I  ».' 

'>■,' 
1'. 


the  inva.id — '•  the  honr  of  your  promise  Is  come — th-j  fate  of  yonr  fntlier  is 
known — would  that  it  had  been  less  abruptly  r(ivealed — and  were  other 
inducement  to  keep  it  wanting,  is  it  not  to  be  fuund  liere?  But  at  this 
moment  I  will  ask  nothing  which  you  may  feel  roluctauie  in  granting.  To- 
morrow we  will  speak  ot  tliis  a}.'aiii — to-morrow  you  shall  know  how  much  I 
Jjftve  sougiit — how  much  I  have  risked — to  soften  tlie  pang  which  I  knew 
would,  soon  or  late  be  inflicted  on  lier  whom  I  so  love." 

"  Generous — kind — considerate  lionayne,  1  can  fully  understand  you,  yet, 
ah  t  what  iimst  you  thiLk  of  me,  who  rould  for  a  moment  doubt  your  power 
to  explain  every  act  of  your  life,  however  auihignous  in  ap])earance.  But 
what  is  tiiat  paper  you  have  taken  from  your  pocket-book  V 

*^  One  that  I  have  long  designed  for  your  perusal.  It  was  written  a  few 
days  after  the  events  at  the  farm,  and  I  have  since  then  trequently  detenniued 
to  place  it  in  your  hands  in  order  that,  in  the  sacredness  of  solitude,  yoo 
might  indulge  in  the  hitter  tears  its  few  pages  will  wring  from  you ;  but  too 
aelfish — yes,  selfish,  and  severely  am  I  punished  for  it — to  suffer  the  joy  of 
the  hour  to  be  broken  in  upon  by  sadness,  I  have  hitherto  delayed  putting 
you  in  possession  of  that  which,  if  only  communicated  a  day  earlier,  would 
have  spared  us  this  painful  scene.  But  I  hear  footsteps  approaching.  They 
must  be  those  of  Mrs.  Elmsley  and  the  doctor,  with  Catherine.  Be  not 
surprised,  dearest,  if  I  leave  you  soon  after  they  enter,  for  I  have  something^ 
to  do  this  evening  which  will  require  my  presence  in  the  Fort.  Early  in  the 
morning,  however,  I  shall  be  here." 

'^  I  understand  well  what  demands  your  presence  elsewhere,"  she  returned 
with  a  look  of  deep  gratitude  and  love.  *'  Oh !  flouayne,  whatever  may 
happen,"  and  the  tears  streamed  down  her  pale  face,  as  she  pointed  to  her 
mother — '^  hear  me  declare  that  whatever  you  may  ask  of  me  one  month 
henoe,  1  shall  not  consider  myself  justified  in  refusing." 

Scarcely  ha<l  he  time  to  impress  upon  her  lips  his  deep  but  chastened  sense 
of  happiness,  when  the  party  expected,  entered  the  room — Von  Vottenberg 
immediately  applying  himself  to  an  examination  of  the  patient,  whose  condi- 
tion, it  was  evident  from  hia  unusally  grave  look,  he  conceived  to  be  highly 
oritical. 

Dreading  to  hear  his  opinion  pronounced  in  the  presence  of  his  betrothed, 
and  the  more  so,  because  he  had  in  some  degree  oeen  its  cause,  the  young 
officer,  after  having  warmly  sha!:en  hands  with  Mrs.  Elmsley,  whom  he 
thanked  for  her  prompt  attention,  urged  her  to  do  all  in  her  power  to  soothe 
Maria,  to  whom,  at  parting,  ho  also  offered  his  hand,  while  his  eye  was 
eloanent  with  the  feelings  he  «!oul(l  not  well  openly  express. 

He  first  directed  his  course  towards  the  rose-bush,  and  approached  it  with 
a  feeling  ahnost  similar  to  what  woultl  have  been  experienced  by  liim,  liad 
he  been  the  actual  uiuiderer  of  Mr.  Hey  wood.  Loup  6«rou  was  sitting 
orouched  near  tiie  head  and  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  growl  rather  fiercely 
at  him,  as  he  approached.  On  hearing  the  voice  of  his  master,  not  in  anger 
but  in  conciliatioi),  he  arose,  slightly  wagged  his  tail,  and  came  forward 
slowly  and  crouching,  as  if  in  dread  of  further  punishment,  his  lip  upcurled, 
showing  all  his  upper  teeth,  and  with  a  short,  quick  sneeise,  peculiar  to  nis 
balf-wolf-blooded  race. 

Calling  gently  to  the  animal,  he  preceded  him  to  the  gate,  desiring  him 
to  wait  there  until  he  returned — an  injunction  evidently  imderstood  by  the 
dog,  which,  crouching  down  in  his  accustomed  posture,  ventured  not  to 
move.  With  the  small  spud,  already  alluded  to,  and  then  near  the  rose-tree, 
he  put  back  in  small  quantities  the  displaced  t-artlt,  until  the  ghastly  face, 
indistinctly  seen  in  the  star-light,  was  again  wholly  hidden  from  view.  This 
done,  hf)  approached  the  bank  of  the  river,  followed  by  the  dog,  and  gave  a 
shrill  whititle,  which,  withovit  being  answered,  speedily  brought  over  the 
boat  in  which  he  now  embarked  for  the  opposite  shore. 

His  first  care  was  to  seek  Elmsley,  who,  as  oflicer  of  the  guard,  was  ttp 
Accoutred  for  duty,  and  was  now  looking  over  an  old  "  Washington  Intelli- 
gencer," that  had  been  read  at  least  a  dozen  times  before,  while  he  smoked 


r 


if. 


THB     FALL    OK     CHICAGO, 


B1 


his  pipe  iind  oipped  from  a  bowl  of  whisky  [iiinoh,  which  Von  Vottenber^ 
had  just  finished  hrewinf.',  when  so  suddenly  suinnioned  to  tlie  cottage. 

After  Ranayiie  hful  detailed  ro  his  friend  the  occurrences  of  the  evening, 
and  coinmuiiicated  his  views,  tiiey  both  issifed  fnrth  to  tho  gnnrd-room, 
wliere  Sergeant  Nixon  happened  to  betipon  duty.  With  the  latter,  a  brief 
oonversiition  was  held  by  lionayne,  ending  with  an  injunction  for  him  to 
oome  lo  Lieutenant.  Elmsiey's  quarters  and  announce  tu  him  (tlie  former), 
,  when  Cfc-rtiiin  arrangements  whioli  had  been  agreed  upon,  were  completed. 
Returneil  to  tho  abode  of  tlie  latter,  the  young  oflScer  required  no  very 
great  pressing  to  induce  him  to  join  ins  superior  in  the  beverage,  to  whioh 
anxiety  of  mind  not  less  than  fatigue  of  body  ha<l  so  much  disposed  him, 
yet  of  whioh  both  partook  moderately.  Wliile  bo  employed,  and  awaiting 
tlie  appearance  of  tho  sergeant,  Ronayne,  who  had  now  no  motive  for 
fartiier  mystery  or  concealment,  detailed  at  the  request  of  his  friend,  bat  in 
muoh  more  sacoinct  terms  tiian  he  had  done  in  the  paper  he  had  handed -to 
Maria  Ileywood,  the  oircumstances  connected  with  |iis  absence  from  the 
Fort,  ou  the  night  of  the  attack  upon  the  farm,  and  the  means  taken  by 
him  to  attain  the  object  in  which  he  liad  been  thwarted  by  Captain  Headley. 


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88 


HA.R08CRABBI.R  ;     OR, 


CHAPTER    XM 


"  You  dam  Yankee,  stop  Injin  when  him  go  wigwiim,''  coiiinienced 
Ronayne,  rising  ut  the  same  time  atuj  imitating  the  actiun  of  one  unsteady 
from  intoxication.     "'8p(»8e  tell  him  gubhermtr?" 

"Ah!  you  liorrid  wretch — I  see  it  all  now,  yet  coiiUl  I  have  been  so 
Imposed  upon  ?  You  then  wore  the  pretended  drunken  Indian  I  let  out  that 
night?  Upon  my  word,  Master  Ronayne.  1  never  will  forgive  you  for  that 
trick." 

"  Yes  you  will,  old  fellow.  It  was  the  only  way  to  save  you  from  a  scrape, 
but  I  confess  I  have  often  sinct  laughed  in  my  sleeve  at  the  recollection  of 
the  manner  in  which  I  deceived  you." 

"  Hang  nie  if  you  didn't  play  your  part  to  adrairatiim,  but  the  best  of  the 
jest  is,  that  on  reporting  the  circumstanoe  to  Headley,  on  the  following 
moniiuflr,  he  said  I  had  acted  perfectly  right;  so  had  you  known  this  when 
you  had  tiiat  scene  on  the  parade,  you  might  have  pleaded  iiis  sanction. 
However,  all  that  is  over.     Now  then  for  your  advenriu-e." 

"  The  ttle  is  6oon  told,"  began  Ronayne.  "  On  the  evening  when  you 
and  Von  Vottenberg  were  so  busy,  the  one  in  concocting  liis  whisky-punch 
— the  other  in  cutting  up  the  Virginia,  1  was  sacking  my  brain  for  a  means 
to  accomplish  my  de^^ire  to  reacb  the  farm,  wiiere  I  had  a  strong  presenti- 
ment, from  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  without  bringing  any  tiilings  of  them, 
the  fishing-party  were,  with  Mr.  lleywood  and  his  people,  in  a  state  of 
siege,  and  I  ut  length  decided  on  wlmt  seemed  lu  me  to  be  the  oniy  available 
plan.  1  v/un  ntit  »orry  to  see  you  leave  after  taking  your  second  glass,  for  I 
knew  that  I  should  have  little  difficulty  in  sewing  up  the  doctor,  whose 
tumbler  I  repeatedly  tilled,  and  made  him  drink  off  after  sundry  toasts, 
while  hb  <lid  not  perceive — or  was  by  no  ii'.eins  sorry  it"  he  did — that  I 
merely  sipped  from  my  own.  When  I  thought  he  had  swallowed  enough  to 
prevent  iiim  from  interfering  with  my  project,  I  bade  liim  good  niuht  and 
left  him,  knowing  well  that  in  less  than  ten  minutes  he  would  be  asleep. 
Instead,  however,  of  going  to  bed,  I  hastened  at  once  to  preliminaries,  haviug 
first  got  rid  of  my  servant  whom  1  did  not  wish  to  implicate,  by  making 
him  acquainted  with  my  intended  absenee.  But  tell  me,  did  you  examine 
my  room  at  uU  the  next  day  V" 

"  1  did." 

"  And  found  nothing  missing  ?" 

"  Not.'iiug.  I  scouted  every  where,  and  found  only  yourself  wanting — 
the  bed  unrumpled,  and  every  thing  in  perfect  bachelor  order." 

"And  that  leather  dress. "my  dear  fellow,  in  which  I  onee  paid  a  visit  to 
the  camp  of  Wimvbeg,  fnjui  whose  squaw,  indeed,  I  bed  bouglu  it.  You 
know  it  generally  bungs  against  the  wall  at  the  t<)Ot  of  my  bed." 

"  Ah  I  now  I  recollect,  that  was  not  .there  certainly,  although  1  did  not 
notice  its  absence  the.'i — so  then,  that  was  the  dress  you  went  out  in,  and  I 
sach  a  goose  as  not  to  remark  it." 

"  Because  you  know  that  I  liad  had  the  j-recaution  to  throw  u  blanket 
over  it  in  the  most  appiMved  Pottowattamie  style,  while  my  features  were 
colored  with  gambonge  and  Iiidiah  ink." 

"  Well,  say  no  more  aboii„  that — I  am  ashamed  to  ha'e  been  so  taken  in 
by  a  JoliMiiy  Raw.  We  w'll  now  suppose  you  kicked  out  ot  the  Fort.  Did 
1  not  kick  you  out,"  he  added  iiumorously,  ''  aud  say,  begone,  you  d»'tinken 
dog,  and  -lever  show  you'  ugly  face  Iiere  again  !" 

•'Oil  the  contrary,"  rtturned  iiis  junior  in  the  same  mocking  strain,    "you 
were  but  too  glad  glad  to  be  civil  when   I  threatened  yon   with  the  '  gub 
bernor  V  " 

"  Once  out  of  the  Fort,"  be  gravely  continued,  ''  my  course  was  plain,  i 
•umiodi  itely  went  to  the  wigwam  of  Winnebeg,  whom  I  found  seated,  with 


THE     FALL    OF    CHIOAOO. 


81^ 


m/ 


his  toes  almost  in  the  embers)  ot'  an  expirinf^  fire,  and  stiiuking  his  last  pipe 
previoas  to  wrapping  himself  np  for  the  night  in  liis  blunlfel.  You  may 
imagine  his  snrprise,  when,  after  some  little  difficulty,  he  reuoi;iiized  in  that 
garb,  and  at  that  honr,  particularly  after  the  events  of  the  day,  with  which 
lie  had  been  made  acqnainted  by  Mr.  Frazer,  before  the  latter,  with  his 
family,  took  refuge  in  the  Fort.  Still,  true  to  the  dignified  reserve  of  his 
race,  Jio  concealed  as  niuch  as  possible  what  was  passing  in  his  mind,  and 
made  me  sit  by  his  side,  near  which,  I  liavo  umitted  to  say,  was  an  extremely 
handsome  young  Indian,  whorr?  he  presented  to  me  as  his  son,  and  then  bade 
me  tell  him  the  object  of  my  visit. 

"  Of  course  I  knew  enough  of  Indian  etiquette  to  be  satisfied  that  I  should 
gain  by  not  attempting  to  hurry  matters,  and  I  accordingly  snppressed  my 
own  impatience  while  taking  a  few  whiffs  from  the  pipe  he  oourteou»ly 
offered  to  me.  Winnebeg  tlien  received  it  back,  and  while  he  sai  with  his 
eyes  fixed  intently  on  the  fire,  puffed  away  in  an  attitude  of  profound  atten- 
tion which  encouraged  me  to  proceed. 

"  When  he  had  heard  all  1  had  to  say  in  regard  to  the  fears  I  entertained 
for  the  absent  party — for  I  did  not  confine  my  profession  of  interest  to  one 
— my  vain  application  to  the  commandant,  and  my  strong  reliance  upon  him  to 
send  a  party  of  his  young  men  with  me  to  the  farm,  his  eye  suddenly  kindled 
— his  countenance  assumed  a  more  animated  expression,  and  removing  the 
pipe  from  his  lips,  and  pnfflng  forth  a  more  than  usual  volume  of  smoke,  he 
cordially  shoi.k  my  hands,  saying  something  in  Indian  to  his  son,  who 
immediately  sprang  to  his  feet,  an(l  disappeared  frotn  the  tent. 

"  After  a  lapse  of  time  which  s€(fkne(l  to  me  as  an  age,  the  youth  re-ap- 
peared with  a  dozen  young  warriors,  all  armed  and  decked  in  their  war 
paint.  They  remained  grouped  round  the  entrance  for  a  few  minutes,  while 
Waunangee  changed  his  own  dress,  and  Winnebeg  provided  me  with  a  rifle 
tomahawk  and  scalping-knife.  Thus  accoutred  I  took  the  lead  with  the 
former,  and  after  cautiously  creeping  tiirough  the  encvnpment,  passed  along 
the  skirt  of  tJjo  wood  that  almost  overhung  the  river.  \ve  moved  off  at  a 
quick  walk,  but  soon  our  pace  increased  f;o  a  half-run,  hu  anxious  were  we  all 
to  get  to  the  farm. 

"  We  Imd  not  proceeded  tnore  than  half-way  when  we  saw  a  small  boat, 
which  I  immediately  distinguished  as  that  belonging  to  the  fishing- party, 
slowly  descending  the  river,  Tlie  Indians  simultaneously,  and  as  if  governed 
by  one  <u)mmtiii  instinct,  dropped  flat  on  the  ground,  as  I  sujiposed  to  remain 
unseeii  until  the  boat  should  come  opposite  to  them,  while  1,  uncertain  by 
whom  ii  was  occui>ie<',  ".nd  anxious  to  ascertain,  aiter  whispering  a  few 
words  to  Waunangee,  moved  cautiously  in  advance  along  the  shore.  When 
I  hail  crept  up  about,  fifty  yards,  I  couid  distinctly  see  that  it  was  one  of 
our  men,  and  1  immeiliatt-y  hailed  to  know  who  he  was.  .-nd  where  the 
remainder  (>f  tire  [tuny  were. 

"  Scarcelv  bad  he  Gii<W',Ted  •  f'ollins,'  and  commenced  a  few  words  of 
explatiation  of  iho  cauc.e  of  iiis  being  there  and  alone,  when  the  forms  of 
two  indians,  whicii  I  fancied  I  had  before  detected  crtx^ping  along  the  shore, 
reguhiting  their  stealthy  [vrogivss  by  that  of  ili*^  boat,  started  into  full  liei^lit, 
and  silently  iiounded  towanis  nit — one  a  little  in  advance  of  tiie  other.  The 
monieiit  was  critical.  Tiny  w^re  not  i.weiity  |>ace>  from  iin-,  and  I  have 
often  since  wondered  at  ihe  presence  of  mind  I  preserved,  li  o<;curred  to 
me  that  ilu'V  would  luit  commit  ihe  imprmlence  of  u-ing  fire-arms  so  near 
the  Fort,  and  thn':  steel  o-dy  would  bo  resorted  to  by  tliem.  This  suggested 
my  own  course.  Tiirowunr  my  rifle'  upon  th*-  beacli  in  order  that  Oi  llitis, 
who  was  now  ]Miiling  tor  the  shor<',  might  -♦•ize  and  use  i(  ns  occ.isiun 
should  rt,([uin',  I  grn-ped  'lie  ^^.•llI)iIl^-knife  in  my  left  hatnls  and  w'lh  my 
tomahawk  in  my  right,  did  not  wait  for  the  attack,  hut  rushed  U[oti  tlie 
foremoKt  Indian,  for  I  know  that  luy  only  chaiuv  ot  .>.u<;ce^s  lay  in  ttie  killing 
or  disabling  of  one  before  his  comr.idc  cotdd  coine  nj*.  At  the  same  time, 
botli  to  apprise  W:innaugce  of  my  position,  and  lo  daunt  toy  .ulvt  rsaiies,  I 
Uttered  one  <^f  laeie  tremendous  yells,  yuii  know  1  so  well  can  imitate,  and 


I' 


I 

I 

i 


90 


HAROSORABBLE  ;     OR, 


:1- 


n 
.  1 


receiving  the  blow  of  itin  toinuliawk  upon  my  own,  throwti  up  in  true 
tnilitnry  guard,  plunged  my  knife  into  his  body  witli  8UuU  MudtleuneHH  and 
force,  tlint  on  exniuining  it  afterwards,  i  found  tiiat  ut  leu^t  half  an  inch  of 
the  tapering  handle  had  followed  the  Made.  The  savage  foil  deiid  wiihout 
utteritig  a  groan,  a  sight  which,  instead  of  checking  llie  luhanco  of  his 
uornpanion,  latlier  urged  him  to  revenge  his  fall.  He  had  now  come  up 
with  me,  brandishing  his  tomahawk,  when  1  puL  myself  again  on  my  guard, 
purposing  to  use  my  knife  as  I  had  tloiie  h»;fore,  buL  ai  tito  very  moment 
when  the  descent  of  his  weaiiou  wus  expecud  by  me,  he  was  suddenly 
seized  from  behind,  raisied  irom  his  feer,  and  tlirown  upon  the  ground.  This 
was  the  act  of  Collins,  who  had  gained  the  siiore  just  after  tlio  lirst  Indian 
fell,  and  had  Hown  to  my  ass'sianoe. 

'*  At  the  same  moment,  Waun.ingee,  who,  with  his  warriors  had  started  up 
on  bearing  my  loud  yt-U  of  detiance,  cai^ie  quickly  to  the  spot,  and  they  were 
not  a  little  astounded  to  see  an  Indian,  whom  ihey  instantly  pronounced  to 
be  a  Winnebago,  lying  motionless  at.  my  feet,  nor  was  their  respect  for  m© 
at  all  lessened,  when  on  iianding  my  seal [)ing-knife  from  one  to  the  other, 
they  perceived  wliat  u  proticieut  I  was  in  the  use  of  their  own  favorite 
weapon. 

"Of  course  I  was  not  silly  enougli  to  detract  from  my  own  glory,  by 
admitting  that  it  was  as  much  the  result  of  accident  as  of  design.  They 
made  eigns  tor  me  to  scalp  him,  but  having  no  paiticulat  desire  to  pos^ess 
this  trophy  of  my  sucoeaeful  hand  to  hand  encouutei*,  one  of  the  young  men 
asked  me  to  waive  my  right  in  his  favor.  T>.'!>  I  did,  and  the  seal])  of  tho 
Winnebago  was  soon  dangling  from  his  wii,»t.  I'iie  other  spoils  I  did  not 
object  to,  and  his  rifle,  tomahawk,  and  knife  are  now  in  Winnebago's  tent, 
until  there  oflers  a  favorable  opportunity  of  bringing  the:a  to  my  quarters. 
But  to  proceed. 

"  So  much  time  had  been  pasned  in  the  examination  of  the  body  of  the 
slain  Winnebago,  that  his  covirude  had  found  anipie  time  to  escape.  The 
Pottowattamies  had  not  sc.-n  him,  and  Collins,  after  having  temporarily 
disabled  him,  had  run  up  t  afford  me  fiuther  assistance,  on  seeing  advancing 
in  the  rear,  those  whom  lie  took  to  he  of  the  same  iiostile  paity.  Thus  loTt 
unwatched,  the  ravage  had  managed  to  creep  away  into  the  wood,  and  when 
attention  was  at  length  drawn  to  him,  he  was  not  to  be  seen. 

*^  When  Collins  had  explained  the  jiosition  of  the  party  at  the  farm,  whose 
danger,  on  iinding  lumself  <>f  no  service  there,  he  was  then  on  his  way  to 
report,  I  proposed  to  Wauiiangee  that  half  of  liis  warriors  should  ascend  by 
land,  while  the  remainder  with  him;*elf,  accompanied  me  in  the  boat.  We 
accordingly  separated,  and  mjjUe  what  haste  we  could  to  our  destination — 
the  party  on  shore  regulating  their  progress  by  tliat  of  the  boat.  During 
the  depcetit  ruy  anxiety  was  very  great,  for  my  whole  soul  was  bent  upon 
the  a'iainment  ot  one  object — t  lat  of  restoring  Mr.  Ueywood  unharmed  to 
bis  raniily.  iiut  the  absence  of  ail  hound  indicating  conflict  was  by  no 
r.reRus  favorable,  and  1  had  already  l.egun  to  feur  tliat  the  silence  which 
prevaile<l,  wax  but  ilie  result  of  victory  on  the  part  of  the  hostile  band  who 
h«id  departed,  wlion  siuldeidy  the  loud,  fierce  yell  of  disrti)pointMient  which 
burst  from  then),  as  J  have  sinee  niidersiood,  when  a  ladder  by  which  they 
attempted  to  e'.tei*  wi  s  ^iirown  from  tho  n)of  by  Nixon,  rang  encouragingly 
upon  my  ear,  aiu^  urged  tiie  to  isuTeased  exertion.  Our  |)rogress,  however, 
was  by  no  n'ean.-  proportioned  ii  my  nuxieiy,  for  soii.elmw  or  other,  i.uly 
two  oars  were  m  the  boj.t,  and,  as  tlie  Indians  did  not  ni'ich  care  or  know 
how  to  puli  in  lime,  the  task  devolved  wholly  upon  Collins  and  myself.  At 
length,  just  as  tlic  <iay  wiis  be;.Mniniig  to  dawn,  we  reached  tlie  larm-house, 
about  a  iiuiidred  ya-ds  beyond  which  we  put  i(\  and  landed,  infiki.'ig  a  detour 
by  the  barn,  so  as  to  meet  the  remainder  of  our  little  force  in  the  rear, 
!<i\d  thus  to  place  the  euem^',  if  actually  surrounding  the  house,  between 
two  fires. 

"After  wailing,  however,  some  little,  time,  and  find'ng  every  thing  quiet, 
my  Hpprelien-ibns   iucreaset),  for,  althongh   not  tho  fiitrti  of   u   Wiimebago 


THB   rALL  or  oHroao. 


91 


could  be  8eeu,  so  profound  wa»  the  stilhiesH  within,  that  I  begau  to  think 
the  whole  of  the  piirty  had  been  either  captured  or  inurderecl.  Suddoidy, 
however,  wiiile  hesitating  us  to  the  course  to  be  pursued — for  I  feared  tiiat 
if  the  party  were  all  right,  and  the  enemy  departed,  they  might,  fire  upon  ui 
as  we  ap|)ruached — I  saw  a  man  in  American  undress  uniturm,  whom  I  had 
uo  ditlitnilty  in  recogidzing  as  Oorpural  Nixon,  issue  Iron)  the  back  of  the 
house  wiili  a  basket  in  his  hands,  and  turning  the  corner  with  an  appearanoo 
of  much  caution,  make  ha«>tily  for  the  river.  Directing  VVaunangee,  who8(^ 
tw(»  bands  hfid  now  joined,  and  were  then  Ij  ag  closely  conoi^aied  iu  the 
barn,  to  enter  the  iiouse  as  cautiously  and  noiselessly  as  possible,  I  hastened 
after  Nixon,  from  wiiom,  after  recovering  from  his  Hrst  fright  at  finding 
himself  unarmed,  and  in  the  power  of  one  whom  he  naturally  took  for  one 
of  hi»  recent  assailants,  I  received  a  brief  account  of  all  that  had  occurred. 
On  entering  ttie  house  with  him,  shortly  afterwards,  what  a  contrast  was 
.  present — on  the  one  baud  the  ludicrous — the  horrible  on  the  other. 

"  Close  within  the  doorway  lay  the  dead  body  of  Mr.  Hey  wood— —" 

"  The  dead  body  of  Mr.  Heywood  1"  exclaimed  Elmsley,  starting  from  his 
■chair  iu  almost  dismay  at  the  intelligence.  '^  How  comes  it,  Ronayne,  that 
you  have  never  spoken  of  tliis  before?" 

"No  interruption,  Elmsley — liear  me  to  the  close — close  within  the  door- 
way, I  repeat,  lay  the  dead  body  of  Mr.  Heywood — his  face  much  disfigured 
— and  his  large  frame  almost  rigid  in  a  pool  of  clotted  blood.  Imagine  what 
a  sight  this  was  to  me,  whose  sole  object  and  hope  it  had  been  to  restore  the 
father  in  safety  to  the  daughter,  although  at  intervals  during  the  route,  I  bad 
more  than  once  dreaded  something  of  the  sort.  Stupefied  at  the  spectacle, 
I  felt  my  heart  to  sicken,  as  the  Idea  of  the  grief  by  which  Marit  would  be 
overwhelmed  when  this  sad  tale  should  be  revealed  to  her,  rose  to  my 
imagination.  But  even  then  my  presence  of  mind  did  not  desert  me,  and  I 
already  deteriidued  on  what  was  to  be  done.  In  some  degree  consoled  by 
this,  I  raised  my  glance  from  the  body  to  observe  what  further  atrocity  had 
been  conunitted.  Three  or  four  Indians  were  grouped  around,  evidently 
regarding  the  corpse  with  deep  interest,  for  Mr.  Heywood  had  often  hunted 
with  tliem,  and  given  them  refreshments  when  stt)pping  to  rest  at  his  place, 
while  on  their  way  to  the  Fort  laden  with  game.  Further  on  the  great 
body  of  Waunangoe's  people  were  standing  leaning  on  their  riflts,  and 
enjoying  tiie  irdstake  of  three  of  our  fellows,  who  naturally  taking  them, 
from  the  trreat  resemblance  of  dress,  to  be  their  enemies  who  hud  obtained 
an  entrance,  weru  holding  aloft,  in  an  attitude  of  defiance — one  a  huge  i)oker 
thrust  through  the  carcass  of  an  enonnous  bird,  and  two  others  a  blackened 
leg  and  wing,  evidently  belonging  to  the  same  animal,  which  they  ever  and 
anon  brandished  over  ilieir  heads,  while  their  eyes  were  rivetted  on  the 
dusky  forms  before  them.  The  wooden  partition  sustained  their  muskets, 
from  which  the  iiiteri)()sing  Indians  liad  cut  ihein  off,  and  against  the  front 
door  of  tlie  house,  which  was  closed  and  barred,  leaned  the  ouly  armed  man 
of  the  party,  deprived,  however,  of  all  power  of  action." 

"What  a  scene  for  some  Aiueriean  ilogarih  !"  iuterrupted  the  lieutenant, 
"and  how  graphicdly  you  have  described  it.  lean  see  the  picture  before 
me  now." 

"I  confess,"  answered  Ronayne,  "I  could  not  even,  amid  all  my  own 
puinful  iVeliugs,  suppro>s  a  smile  at  its  extreme  absurdity,  for  tlie  api)i.'arance 
of  three  men  seeking  to  defend  tliemselves  t'roiii  wjiat  I  hey  believed  to  be 
fierce  and  blood-thirs;y  enemies,  with  the  burnt  carcass  and  liiubs  of  an  old 
turkey-cock,  was  such  a  burlesque  on  the  chivalrous,  that,  knowing  as  I  did 
how  little  their  suitposed  enemy  wap  to  be  dreaded,  1  could  not  sai)pre83 
thoughts  which,  while  they  forced  themselves  upon  me,  I  was  angry  at 
allowing  myself  to  entertain.  To  undersiaud  the  scene  fully,  you  nuist.  Iiave 
looked  on  it  yourself.  Had  I  recounted  tiiis  to  you  yesterday,  or  even  thid 
morning,  I  could  have  filled  up  tlie  picture  more  grotesquely,  and  yet  not  less 
truly.  But  now  1  have  too  (freut  a  weight  on  my  spirits  to  give  more  thaa 
a  simple  sketch. 


# 


BARDSCRABBM  :     OR, 


\^-^' 

i*.. 


I* 


;^ 


"  ^t  the  announoement  of  my  name  and  purpose,  the  statue  nr  the  duor 
became  suiMenly  disenchanted — the  legs  and  wings  fell — a  man  dropped 
)lghtly  fforii  the  loft,  musket  in  hand,  and  Obm  only,  with  hi»  gaze  intently 
fixed  on  the  mocking  envages  before  him,  of  whom  he  took  me  indeed  to  be 
one,  continued  his  defensive  attitude  with  the  poker,  nor  was  it  until  I  had 
advanced  and  taken  his  weapon  from  him,  amid  the  loud  laughter  of  the 
yonng  Indians,  that  he  finally  came  to  his  senses.  An<l  yet,  atter  all,  poor 
devil,  his  distrust  was  bnt  natural. 

"  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  While  some  of  the  men  were,  according  to  ray 
inBtractions,  wrapping  in  a  blanket  the  body  of  Mr.  Hey  wood,  after  removing 
from  it  what  blood  they  could,  and  the  others  bore  to"  ilio  boat  the  unfor- 
tanate  Le  Noir,  ^^hom  I  had  not  at  first  distin^'aisho<l,  so  ooinpletely  had  he 
been  covered  over  by  his  dog  and  walnut  blossoms,  I  took  the  corporal 
aside,  and  explained  to  hira  how  important  it  was  that  nothing  should  be 
known  at  the  Fort  of  the  fate  of  Mr.  Heywood.  On  his  asking  what  he 
should  say  if  qnestioned,  I  desired  him  (with  some  hesitation,  I  confess,  for  I 
knew  I  was  setting  a  bad  example  to  the  men,  wliich  only  the  i)eonIiar 
circumstances  of  the  case  could  justify),  to  give  an  evasive  answer,  and 
say  that  the  Indians  had  carried  him  off  with  them,  which  indeed  would  be 
the  fact,  as  I  intended  tiim  to  be  borne  away  by  the  party  I  had  brougbt. 
I  told  him,  moreover,  that  at  a  fitting  opportunity,  I  wonld  explain 
every  thing  to  Captain  Headley,  and  take  all  the  responsibility  upon 
myself. 

'*  On  his  promptly  saying  tliat  he  wonld,  I  added  that  the  men  of  hit 
party  should  be  made  acquainted  with  my  wish,  and  asked  if  I  raiglit  depend 
unon  their  secrecy.  Fie  replied  that  there  was  not  a  man  among  them  who 
did  not  so  love  Miss  Heywood,  as  to  run  the  risk  of  any  punishment,  rather 
than  utter  one  word  that  could  be  the  means  of  giving  lier  pain,  and 
that  while  on  the  way  down  he  would  rake  care  to  warn  them. 

"  Elmsley,  I  was  touched  at  this — almost  to  tears — for  it  was  a  source  of 
proud  yet  tender  pleasure  to  me — much  more  so  than  I  can  express — to 
Know  that  Maria  wa.s  so  great  a  favoi'ite  with  these  rude-hearted  fellows. 
Assured  that  every  thing  was  right,  I  tola  the  corporal  to  embark  his  men 
immediately,  and  pull  for  the  Fort,  while  I,  with  Waunangeo  and  his  Indians 
proceeded  by  Innd  with  the  body  of  Mr.  Heywood. 

" '  Don't  you  think,  sir,'  said  the  corporal,  hesitatingly,  as  he  prepared  to 
execute  my  orders—'  don't  yo»i  think  it  would  be  well  for  the  ladies'  sake 
that  they  should  not  be  retuinded  of  the  name  of  this  place,  more  than  can 
be  helped!'  •    . 

'• '  Undoubtedly,  Nixon,  but  what  do  you  mean?' 

"  '  Why,  sir,  I  iiicnn  that  as  poor  Mr.  Heywood  never  can  be  here  again, 
it  would  l»e  better  nothing  should  be  left  to  remind  them  of  the  bloody 
doings  of  yesterday.' 

'^ '  And  what  other  name  would  you  give  it?'  I  asked. 

"  '  If  it  was  left  to  me,  Mr.  Roiwiv  ne,'  replied  the  corporal ;  '  I  would  call 
it  Habdscaubi.e,  on  account  of  the  hard  struL'gle  the  fellows  must  have  had 
with  Mr  Ileywcod,  ju(l},'inf^  from  his  wounds  and  hi.?  broken  riflo,  before 
they  niaf.tenM]  liiin.' 

'"Then,  IlAmiHoiiAnHij;  he  it,' 1  said,  'not  that  I  can  really  see  it  will 
make  niucli  ditlVreiu-o  in  ciillini:  tli?  tiling  to  mind,  yet  it  would  soarct-ly  be 
fair  to  deny  to  you,  who  liii%o  so  bniveiy  <lc'feiidcd  the  place,  tlio  privilege 
of  giving  it  a  new  name,  if  tlu^  old  one  is  to  be  .'ibandoned.' 

'■'Th.-iiik  yoii,  sir,'  returned  Nixon,  'but  if  you  hadn't  come  to  onr 
assistance,  I  don't  know  what  the  upshot  nu;<lit  hnvo  been,  I  suspeot  that 
fellow  who?e  comr.idu  you  killoil,  sent  tlieni  oil"  sooner  than  tliey  intended.' 

'"No  more  of  that,  Nixon — .md  now  do  you  remember  what  you  are  Ut 
say  when  yon  get  back  to  the  Fort  ?' 

'"  '  I  do,  sir,  and  every  m.-in  sh.-dl  he  told  to  say  ns  1  do — bnt  a))otit  the  ni  # 
name,  Mr.  Honayne,'  he  pursued,  returning,  alter  he  had  gone  a  few  paces, 
*do  you  tiiink,  sir,  ^frs.  Heywood  will  cimsent  to  it?' 


TBI    FALL    OP    CBIOAOO. 


**  *  Mj  good  fellow,*  I  answered,  *■  recollect  that  Mra.  Hey  wood  muft  know 
nothing  ubont  it — at  leoflt  fur  the  present.  I  will  settle  all  that  later.  In 
tke  mean  time,  as  you  havo  called  it  Habdsobabblb,  so  let  it  remain.' 

^*  And  IIa,ho80ba.bblx  tliat  scene  of  blood  is  called  to  this  hour. 

"  I  had  at  lirst  apprehended,"  pursued  Ronayne,  "  that  the  Indians  would 
evince  diitinuiinatiun  to  carry  the  body  so  long  a  distance,  or  even  at  all,  bat 
un  Waiinangco  exftlaining  my  desire,  they  all  to  my  surprise,  expres8e<l  even 
eagerness  to  moot  my  wishes,  for,  as  he  assured  me,  the  young  men  looked 
upon  me  as  a  groat  warrior  who  had  achieved  a  deed  of  heroism  that  might 
procure  the  diatinctiou  of  a  chief,  and  entiUing  me  to  their  services  in  all 
things. 

"  1  certainly  thought  my  honors  cheaply  enough  purchased ;  however  I  waa 
bat  too  glad  to  appropriate  tu  myself  the  respect  and  good-will  which  the 
killing  of  the  Winnebago  had  entailed — and  matters  were  soon  arranged. 

**  The  body  having  been  removed  outside,  and  the  doors  secured  as  well 
as,  under  the  circumstances,  could  be  done,  one  of  the  warriors  cut  from  a 
tree  in  the  a(\jacent  wood,  a  semi-circular  piece  of  tough  and  flexible  bark, 
flboat  six  feet  in  length,  and  in  the  hollow  of  this,  the  murdered  father  of 
Maria  llevwood,  already  swathed  tiglitly  in  a  blanket,  was  placed.  A  Ions 
pole  was  then  passed  through  the  equi-distant  loops  of  oord  that  encircled 
the  whole,  and  two  of  the  Indians  having,  with  the  assistance  of  their 
companions,  raised  it  upon  their  shoulders,  it  was  thus  borne— the  parties 
being  relieved  at  intervals— over  the  two  long  miles  of  road  that  led  to  the 
akirt  of  the  woods  near  the  encampment.  Here  the  body  of  Indiaos 
stopped,  while  Waunaugee  and  myself  repaired  to  the  tent  of  his  father, 
who  no  suoiier  had  heard  detailed  by  bis  son  the  account  of  my  Winnebago 
killing  practice  of  the  preceding  evening,  than  ho  overwhelmed  me  with 
congratulation!*,  anct  looked  proudly  on  the  knife,  still  stained  with  a  spot  or 
two  of  blood,  which  I  returned  to  him,  and  which  he  restored  to  its  nsoal 
resting-place  ou  his  hip. 

'*  Perceiving  that  Winnebeg  was,  like  his  young  men,  ready  to  do  any 
thing  for  me.  I  explained  to  hira  my  desire  to  convey  the  body  of  Mr. 
Heywoi)d  across  the  river,  and  bury  him  secretly  in  his  own  grounds,  bat 
that  it  was  necessary,  in  order  to  do  this  effectually,  that  he  and  his  son 
should  go  with  me,  and  by  some  circuitous  route.  Entering  at  once  into 
my  views,  he  said  he  would  show  me  a  place  where  we  could  cross  without 
being  seen  either  from  the  Fort  or  from  his  own  encampment,  and  then  led 
the  way  back  to  the  wood  where  the  party  were  still  waiting. 

*'  The  rest  is  soon  told.  Dismissing  the  young  men  into  the  encampment. 
Winnebeg,  with  his  son,  bore  the  body  within  the  skirt  of  the  wood,  until 
we  reached  a  bend  of  the  river  hidden  from  observation,  where  a  canoe 
with  paddies  was  drawn  up  on  the  beach.  There  we  crossed,  and  going 
round  to  the  rear  of  the  cottage,  entered  the  garden,  and  proceeded  to  the 
upper  end,  where  at  tlie  summer  house,  near  a  favorite  rose-tree  of  Maria's, 
I  dug  with  my  own  hands  a  hasty  grave,  in  which  Winnebeg  and  Waunangee 
placed  the  body — its  only  0i)ftin  Ijeing  the  bark  that  was  swathed  around  it. 
Of  course  I  always  intended  to  disinter  it  at  some  future,  but  not  distant 
period,  and  bestow  upon  it  the  usual  rites  of  burial. 

"  Tliis  painful  task  at^complislied,  and  tho  soil  having  been  carefully 
replaced,  so  as  to  leave  no  inequality  of  surface,  I  ai-oompaiiiod  my  friends 
back  by  tlie  samo  route,  and  about  idno  o'clock  left  the  Pottowattamie 
encampment  with  them  and  a  few  other  warriors  of  the  tribe  for  the  Fort, 
whi<!h  in  the  crowd  I  entered  without  dltDculty  or  creating  suspicion. 
Wiitching  my  opp«)rtunity,  I  stole  to  the  rear  of  my  bed-room— opened  and 
entered  tho  window — changed  my  dross,  and  made  my  appearance  on 
parade  as  you  saw." 

"  All  is  ready,  sir,'*  said  Sergeant  Nixon,  ei.tering  just  as  he  had  concluded, 
and  before  Eimslev  could  oflFer  any  remark  ou  this  singular  adventure — "the 
eofliu  is  iu  tho  scow,  and  Corporal  OoDius,  Green  and  PiiUips  are  there  aisc 


•t 


HAKDSCUABBLK  ;     OR, 


it 


with  their  shuvelt,  ropes*,  nnd  piukx.  If  Mr.  Eltn.-floy  will  give  me  permit* 
•ion,"  and  he  touohed  iiia  cap  to  timt  oflloer.     "  I  w'^]  s;.)  too,  Hir." 

"As  Bergeaut  of  the  guard — no,  Nixon,  my  griful  tiell.nv,  that  will  never 
do.  The  three  men  yuu  have  named,  arc,  willi  a!}  self,  i(uite  unough.  Be 
on  the  looiv'out  though,  to  lot  Uii  in  on  our  return.  Have  you  provided  A 
dark  lantern  ?" 

''  Te»,  ttir,  Oollius  hoa  the  lantern  belonging  to  tiie  guard  house." 

"Oood.  I  will  follow  you  in  a  moment,  Elmhley, "he  continued,  rUing 
and  draining  oil'  his  half-einptiod  glass.  ^'  lend  me  your  pniycr-book.  I  wish 
that  yuu  uould  bo  |*rtit»eiit  at  tliis  dismal  ceremony,  but  of  course  that  is 
wholly  out  of  the  question." 

"It  is,  indeed,  my  dear  fellow.  It  would  never  do  for  us  both  to  be 
absent.  Not  only  ourselves  but  the  men  would  be  urougtit  into  llie  scrape, 
for  you  know  Ileadley  always  sleeps  with  one  eye  opoa.  ' 

"I  do  not  !'ke  to  do  any  thing  clandestinely,"  remarked  the  ensign — ■ 
'*  partioidarly  after  our  reconciliation  with  hlni.  Aloreover,  it  is,  m  you  say, 
in  some  degree  compromising  the  men  and  myself  with  thera.  I  have  a 
great  mind  before  I  start  to  see  and  explain  every  thing  to  Headley,  and 
obtain  his  sanction  to  my  absence." 

" Nonsense,"  returned  his  friend,  ''he  will  never  know  it;  besides  it  ia 
possible  tliat  he  may  refuse  to  let  you  go  before  morning,  and  your  object  is, 
of  course,  to  have  every  thing  finished  to-night.  Take  my  advice;  go 
without  speaking  to  him  on  the  subject,  and  if  your  remorse  of  consoienee,*' 
and  he  smiled  archly,  '■*■  be  so  great  afterwards,  as  to  deprive  you  of  more 
rest  and  appetite  than  you  lost  after  killing  that  poor  devil  of  a  Winnebago, 
go  to  him  as  you  did  before — confess  that  you  have  again  been  a  naughty 
boy — ask  his  pardon,  and  I  am  sure  he  will  forgive  the  crime." 

"  Well,  I  believe  you  are  right.  Be  it  so.  Adieu,  I  shall  be  back  within 
a  couple  of  hours  at  the  latest." 

"If  you  do,  you  will  in  all  probability  find  me  still  poring  over  this  old 
Intelligencer,  which  is  full  of  rumors  of  aproaohing  war  with  the  British." 

"  I  shall  be  raore  inclined  to  hug  my  pillow,"  replied  the  ensign  as  he 
departed,  '^  for  I  must  again  cross  to  the  cottage,  and  be  back  hero  befora 
guard-mounting  to-morrow." 

Within  ten  udnutes  the  party — two  of  them  having  borne  the  emptj 
coffin,  and  too  corporal  the  necessary  implements,  stood  near  the  rose-tree 
in  the  garden.  The  body  of  Mr.  Iloywood  was  disinterred — the  bark  ia 
which  it  lay  wound  round  with  many  fold^f  of  a  large  sheet,  and  placed  in 
the  coffin,  w'.ioh  after  being  screwed  down,  was  deposited  in  a  grave  dug  at 
least  five  feet  under  the  surface.  Then  commenced  the  burial  service,  whicli 
was  read  hy  the  young  officer  in  a  slov^  and  impressive  tone,  and  by  the 
light  of  the  shaded  lantern,  whioh,  falling  obliquely  upon  the  forms  of  the 
men,  discovered  them  standing  around  the  grave — one  foot  resting  on  the 
edge — the  other  drawn  back,  as  they  awaited  the  signal  to  lower  their 
Almost  ofi^naive  burden  into  its  last  resting-place.  At  length  the  prayer* 
for  the  dead  were  ended,  and  the  grave  was  carefully  filled  up,  leaving  aa 
before,  no  inequality,  but  too  deep  to  attract  the  scent  of  Lonp  Gnrou.  Thea 
after  imving  dug  up  a  f^w  small  roots  of  the  sweet  briar,  and  placed  them  at 
intervals  on  the  newly-tui-ned  earth,  lionayne  crossed  with  his  little  party 
to  the  Fort,  glad  to  obtain  a  few  hours  of  that  repo.^e,  for  whioh  the 
harassing  events  of  tlie  day  had  so  much  predisposed  him. 


m 


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■  a     .: 


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►«       ■  1 


Tin   rAix  or   chtca«o. 


96 


<    (U' 


on  APTEK    XII 


Thk  fourth  of  July  1812,  wus  h  more  tlian  iittuiil  giiln-day  in  tiie  little  Fort 
of  Oliicogo,  for  in  addition  to  the  NHti>intil  .hihllec,  tluri*  wn.s  to  be  cele- 
brated one  of  iv  privftte,  vet,  not  loss  intfi-e^jitiin  nature.  On  tlmt  evening 
Ensign  Konuyne  was  to  u^pttntte,  i:i  tlii>  wty  room  in  whioli  In*  li.-id  tirst  been 
introduced  to  her.  the  wonuin  lit-  Imd  .so  jnn^  and  so  ardently  loved,  and 
who,  her  mother  having  after  a  ^-evero  strujfgle  become  Convalusrent,  had 
oonfji'iiiably  to  her  |)roinirio,  yieldu<l  a  not  relnutant  (Hiusent  to  UU  proposal 
that  thin  day  of  general  joy,  slumld  be  that  of  the  commencemiMit  of  their 
own  liappinesH. 

At  that  remote  period,  and  in  the  ab-senue  of  duly  ordained  clergymen,  it 
'va»  customary  for  marrin^es  to  be  performed  by  tho  Governors  ot  Distriota 
and  by  oommandiuK  otlicerM  of  dintant  FurtH,  aiid  these,  perfectly  legal,  were 
eubsoquently  as  incliiuitioii,  or  scruple  of  ctmBcience  induced,  celebrated  in 
the  UHual  manner.  'Die  early  marriages  of  British  subjects  in  Canada,  sooa 
after  its  conquest  from  the  French,  as  well  as  many  of  those  of  the  colonioa 
now  known  us  the  United  States,  took  place  in  this  nmnnner,  and  the  oustonot 
had  been  continued  until  increased  populatioti  provided  the  means  ol  seoui;ag 
that  spiritual  comfort,  whici)  ''  nuist,  of  course,  have  been  impossible  for  one 
dressed  in  a  red  coat  inste.'  i  black  one,  to  impart. 

But  neither  Muria  Ueyw>.  .  or  Ronnyne  stood  much  on  this  punctilio. 
Provided  the  ceremony  was  legal,  and  according  to  the  customs  of  the 
country,  it  mattered  little  who  married  them — the  governor  of  a  district— 
the  commandant  of  a  garrison,  or  a  Oretna  Oreen  blacksmith — ha<}  tiiey  felt 
•t  all  disposed  to  avail  themselves  of  the  services  of  the  latter. 

It  was  a  lovely  day,  i.nd  every  thing  seemed  to  smile  upon  the  denizens 
of  that  region,  from  the  early  dawn  until  the  setting  of  the  sun.  Officers 
and  men  were  in  their  brightest  uniforms — the  women  and  children  in  their 
holiday  dre^^ses.  A  t'plendid  new  Star  Spangled  Banner — the  work  of  Maria 
Hey  wood's  hands — floated  in  the  dazzling  rays  of  the  sun,  upon  the  southern 
bastion  of  the  Fort.  Joy  and  pride  sat  on  every  brow.  They  exidtcd  at  the 
recollection  of  that  hardly  won  freedom  from  injustice,  which  was  that  day 
to  be  celebrated  for  the  thirty-sixth  time. 

At  noon  the  catmon  thutidered  forth  their  bursts  of  rejoicing.  This  was 
the  signal  for  the  numerous  Pottowattannes  outside,  all  of  whom  had  decked 
themselves  for  the  occasion,  to  approach  nearer  to  the  Fort.  On  the  glacis 
they  discharged  their  guns  aud'ritles,  aud  seemed  to  have  but  one  spirit  with 
the  allies  to  whom  they  appeared  to  have  devoted  tliemselves.  Winnebeg, 
however,  though  long  expected,  had  not  yet  returned,  and  nothing  yet  had 
been  seen  of  Waunan<;ee,  Miice  Ids  departure  on  the  day  following  the  little 
incident  which  occurred  in  Elmsley*s  apartments. 

Contrary  to  thot  imnatural  etiquette  which  enjoins  that  two  betrothed 
persons,  who  are  ex[tected  to  be  insep.iralilo  after  marriage,  shotdd  never 
show  themselves  together  in  public  immediately  before,  lionayne  had  after 
parade  ascended  the  rampart,  with  Maria  Ileywood  leaning  upon  his  arm, 
occasionally  glancing  at  tlie  group  of  fjaily-costumed  Indians,  who  were 
amusing  themselves  on  the  green,  but  oftener  admiring  the  lovely  view, 
softened  by  distance,  which  was  presented  in  various  points,  and  particularly 
towards  the  farm — the  theatre  of  events  which  the  otherwise  happy  girl, 
could  not  at  that  moment  avoid  bringing  to  her  recollection. 

While  gazing  in  that  direction,  her  eye  fell  upon  the  form  of  a  young 
.Indian  who  was  leaning  against  tiie  corner  of  the  picketed  bastion  ou  her 
left,  in  the  shallow,  dry,  and  grass-covered  ditch  that  surrouuded  it.  At 
first  her  glance  caught  an  indistitict  human  form  dressed  in  the  Indian  garb, 
but  as  her  gaze  settled  on  the  object,  her  surprise  was  great  to  recognise 
Waunangee,  who  was  even  then  looking  at  her  with  the  same  softened  and 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4503 


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96 


HARDSCR\BBI,E  ;     OB, 


eloquent  expression,  whlcli  had  given  her  so  much  anxiety  on  a  former 
occasion.  The  impression  produced  upon  her  was  exactly  what  it  had  been 
then — indescribable — inexplicable  to  herself. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  my  love  ?"  inquired  Roiiayne  tenderly,  and  pressing 
her  arm  to  his  heart — "  what  fix<  s  your  attention  beiow  ?"  then  seeing  the 
Indian  himself.  "  Ah !  Wannaugee,  my  friend !"  he  exclaimed,  "  where 
have  yon  been  all  this  time  ?  Come  round  to  the  gate  and  shake  hands  with 
my  wife." 

"  No,  no,  no,  do  not  call  him  up,  Ronayne — you  cannot  think  how  much 
the  presence  of  that  Indian  troubles  me." 

"Nay,  dearest  Maria,  you  are  not  yourself.  Why  continue  this  strong 
dislike  against  the  poor  fellow ?    I  thought  you  had  quite  forgiven  him,". 

Was  it  accident — was  it  modesty,  or  was  it  a  consciousness  that  hia 
presence  was  not  desired  by  at  least  one  of  the  parties,  tiiat  prevented  the 
young  Indian  from  obeying  the  summons  of  the  officer.  Whatever  the 
oanse,  he  assumed  a  serious  mein,  and  playing  one  of  thoi^e  melancholy  airs 
which  so  often,  at  that  time,  might  de  heai'd  proceeding  from  the  rude  flate 
of  their  race,  walked  slowly  away. 
f  '*'  I  fear  you  have  offended  him,  Maria.    Oh  1  if  you  knew " 

" Ronayne— dearest  Harry!"  interrupted  his  betrothed — "I  have  never 
said  anything  of  this  before  to  yon,  because,  after  all,  it  is  but  an  idle  &noy, 
yet  I  cannot  divest  myself  of  the  idea  that  this  Indian,  interesting  and 
prepossessing  as  he  is,  is  somehow  or  other  connected  with  my  futui^e  fate. 
Nay,"  as  the  young  officer  smiled  in  playful  mockery,  *'  you  may  ridicule 
my  presentiment,  which  is,  I  confess,  so  much  at  variance  with  good  sense, 
that  I  almost  blush  to  introduce  the  subject,  but  still  I  cannot  banish  the 
impression." 

**>  Then.  I  will  assist  you  in  doing  so,  dearest,  even  thou^  at  the  risk  of 
re-opening  a  newly-closed  wound,"  remarked  her  ^over,  with  deep  afleotion 
of  manner.  '''  In  my  narrative  of  those  events,  hastily  thrown  together, 
which  I  gave  you  on  that  memorable  night,  when  I  suffered  for  a  period, 
almost  the  torments  of  the  damned,  I  did  not,  it  seems  to  me,  name  the 
young  Indian,  who,  with  his  father,  so  greatly  aided  me  on  my  return  to  the 
farm,  and  even  bore  upon  his  shoulders  the  sacred  charge." 

"No,  Harry,  you  did  not,"  quickly  rejoined  Maria  Hey  wood;  "but  I 
Imow  now  whom  yon  mean.    It  was  Waunangee." 

"It  was,"  said  the  ensign — "I  know  your  knowledge  of  that  fact  will 
change  your  feelings  towards  him." 

'^  They  are  changed — even  at  this  moment,  and  henceforth  I  shall  be  to 
him  as  a  sister.  Ah !  how  ungrateful  must  I  have  appeared  to  the  poor 
fellow.  I  shall  conquer  this  silly  weakness.  I  have  misunderstood  my  own 
impressions,  and  it  must  have  been  that  I  have  mistaken  the  influence 
Waunangee  has  had  for  that  which  is  to  be.  Gall  him  up  now,  Ronayne, 
and  I  will  cheerfully  give  him  my  hand,  and  promise  to  love  him  as  a  brother 
in  return  for  the  devotion  he  has  evinced,  not  less  for  you  than  for  my  poor 
father." 

"Time  enough,  repentant  sinner,"  returned  the  young  officer,  at  the  same 
time  casting  his  glance  rapidly  over  the  group  of  Indians,  who  were 
amusing  themselves  at  various  athletic  games.  "  I  can  see  nothing  of  him. 
Yonr  evident  displeasure,"  he  added  playfully,  "  has  destroyed  his  peace,  as 
indeed  you  might  have  known  from  that  plaintive  ditty.  However,  dearest 
girl,  I  shall  see  him  soon,  and  make  him  promise  to  be  present  this  evening 
at  the  nuptials  of  his  friend  and  sister.  Nay,  if  I  had  not  engaged  Elmsley, 
I  should  insist  on  his  being  my  bridesman." 

•The  only  notice  taken  of  this  sally  was  a  faint  smile  from  his  companion, 
who  now  descended  with  him  from  the  rampart  and  proceeded  to  the  apart- 
ments of  Mrs.  Elmsley,  where  her  mother  and  herself  had  once  more  been 
visitors  for  tlie  last  few  days.  Here  they  separated  to  meet  again  in  the 
evening — Ronayne  directing  his  attention  to  his  various  duties,  and  looking 
out  at  intervals  for  his  young  Indian  friend.        .;  -  ,.  .=   ;.....  .vt*--!'"'' 


/ 


/ 


THB    VKLh    OF    OHICAOO. 


91 


f 


It  was  night.  No  accident  had  occurred  beyond  tlie  laceration  of  two  of 
Ephraim  Giles's  fingers,  wlio  having  that  day  been  presented  with  a  new  suit 
by  the  doctor — the  fac-siniile  in  fashion  of  the  old — liad  been  whittling 
altnost  in  front  of  one  of  the  guns  when  discharged,  and  lost,  with  the  skin 
of  his  finger,  both  his  stick  and  his  knife.  The  sultriness  of  the  day  had 
been  succeeded  by  a  cool  and  refreshing  air.  Gaiety  and  content  every 
where  prevailed,  and  many  were  the  voices — male  and  female — that  ex- 
claimed, as  allusion  was  made  to  the  ceremony  all  knew  to  be  in  progress : 
"  God  bless  tliem,  and  make  them  happy,  as  they  deserve  to  be."  A  large 
tub  of  whiskj'-punoh,  the  gift  of  the  commanding  officer,  had  been  brewed 
by  Von  Vottenberg,  for  their  mid-day  revel,  and  this,  all  had  been  unanimous 
in  pronouncing  the  best  medicine  the  doctor  had  ever  administered  to  them ; 
and  now  in  small  social  messes,  seated  round  their  rude  tables,  covered  with 
tin  goblets,  and  pitchers  of  the  same  metal — the  mothers  with  their  children 
at  their  side  or  upon  their  knees,  and  the  fathers  and  unmarried  men  puffing 
clouds  of  smoke  from  their  short  pipes-r-whioh  they  filled  from  two  others 
placed  on  an  elevated  settle — one  in  each  block  house — which  the  happy 
Ronayne  had  given  them  on  the  occasion. 

Even  the  guard  was  moderately  supplied,  and  the  sentries  alone,  pacing  to 
and  fro  in  their  limited  walk,  felt  the  bitterness  of  privation,  as  they  counted 
the  minutes  that  must  elapse  before  they  could  join  in  the  festivities  which 
the  loud  voice  and  ringing  laugh,  occasionally  wafbed  to  their  ears,  told  them 
were  in  progress. 

la  the  rooms  of  the  commanding  officer  there  was  more  than  the  usual 
manifestation  of  the  anniversary.  All  had  dined  at  an  early  hour,  but  a 
large  side-board  that  stood  in  one  corner  of  the  council  room — always  fitted 
np  on  these  occasions — was  covered  with  vases  containing  wine.<«,  ^liqueurs, 
jiileps,  and  punches  of  various  kinds — ^the  latter  the  work  of  the  indefatigable 
eon  of  Esculapius,  and  of  these  the  hose  and  his  guests  partook  freely,  in 
commemoration  of  the  day.  At  the  opposite  end  of  the  room  had  been 
raised  a  sort  of  tribune  for  the  orator  of  the  day,  but  as  it  was  intended  J;ihe 
address  should  be  impromptu,  no  name  bad  been  mentioned,  nor  could  any 
one  know,  until  the  moment  when  tlie  mtgority  of  voices  should  select  him 
on  whom  the  office  was  to  devolve.  In  the  fear  entertained  by  each  that  he 
should  be  the  party  selected,  the  glass,  to  impart  Che  necessary  Courage,  Was 
not  spared.  But  he  who  was-  not  in  the  room,  or  of  the  nutnber  of  those 
devoted  to  the  punch-bowl  was  the  person  chosen.  As  if  by  one  impulsive 
consent,  Ronayne,  who  was  seated  in  the  inner  room,  and  discoursing  of  any 
thing  but  politics  to  his  betrothed,  fonnd  himself  loudly  called  upon— 
knew  it  was  in  vain  to  object — and  reluctantly  rose  in  obedience  to  the 
flummons. 

*'  Oome  yonng  gentleman,"  said  Oaptain  Headley,  entering  with  an  air  of 
gaiety  by  no  means  usual  to  him,  ''you  are,  it  appears,  in  all  things,"  and 
he  bowed  significantly  to  Maria  Uey wood,  ''the  chosen  of  the  evening— but 
recollect,"  he  added,  as  ho  drew  his  arm  through  his  own,  and  proceeded 
towards  the  larger  apartment  where  Ronayne  was  awaited,  "  as  you  acquit 
yourself  of  yo/wr  duty,  sr»  shall  I  of  »»wm." 

'^  I  shall  do  my  be.<it,  sir,"  replied  the  youth,  in  the  same  light  tone,  "  bat 
:  of  the  two  orations,  1  know  which  will  be  the  best  suited  to  my  own  taste." 

The  other  ladies,  with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Heywood,  had  also  risen,' 
and  now  stood  grouped  uear  Oaptain  Headley,  who,  with  Maria  Heywood  on 
his  arm,  leaned  against  the  door-way  separating  the  two  rooms — while 
Ronayne,  amid  cheers  and  congratulations,  made  his  way  to  the  tribune,  at 
the  farther  end  of  the  apartment. 

His  address  was  necessarily  not  long — for  independently  of  the  impatience 
he  could  not  but  entertain  at  that  moment  of  all  subjects  but  that  nearest 
his  heart,  he  was  by  no  means  ambitious  of  making  a  display  of  his  powers 
of  elocution.  Yet,  notwithstanding  tliis,  he  treated  his  theme  in  so  masterly 
a  manner,  and  in  such  perfectly  good  taste,  omitting  all  expressions  of  that 
rancor  towards  Great  Britain,  which  forms  so  leading  u  feature  in  ^meriflan 


98 


HARDSCRABBLE  ;     OR, 


ll 


orations  on  this  occasion,  and  yet  reflecting  honor  on  the  land  of  his  birth — 
alludinf^,  moreover,  to  the  high  position  even  then  oconpied  by  the  nation^ 
Hnd  the  future  greatness  which  he  predicted,  from  its  laws,  it8  institutions, 
and  peculiar  form  of  government,  awaited  it — tljat  Maria  Heywood  could 
not  fail  to  experience  a  secret  pride  in  tiie  warm,  and  evidently  sincere 
acclamation  of  the  little  party  present,  attesting  as  they  did,  their  estimate 
.i^f  of  the  worth  of  him,  who  in  another  hour,  would  be  her  own  for  life. 

As  Ronayne  descending  from  the  tribune,  passed  to  the  other  side  of  the 
room,  he  looked  out  of  the  door  which  had  been  left  open,  not  more  on 
account  of  the  heat,  than  to  afford  the  men  and  their  families  m  opportunity 
of  hearing  the  discourse  thus  delivered — almost  the  first  person  who  came 
under  his  glance  was  Waunangee,  for  whose  admission  he  had  given  orders 
to  the  Serjeant  of  the  guard,  and  who  now,  in  compliance  with  his  pressing 
entreaty,  had  attended.  He  was  becomingly  dressed  in  deer  skin,  richly 
embroidered,  pliant  and  of  a  clear  brown  that  harmonized  well  with  the 
snowy  whiteness  of  his  Unen  shirt,  which  was  fastened  with  silver  brooches, 
T^hile  on  the  equally  decorated  leggins,  he  wore  around  the  ancle,  strings  of 
minute  brass  bells.  On  his  head  floated  the  rich  plumi^e  of  various  rare 
birds,  but  no  paint  was  visible  beyond  the  slightest  tint  of  vermilion  on  the 
very  top  of  each  cheek-bone,  rendering  even  more  striking  the  expression  of 
his  soft  dark  eyes. 

Beckoning  to  him,  Ronayhe  drew  the  yonng  Indian  within  the  door, 
which  had  he  not  accidentally  distinguished  him  in  the  crowd,  he  was  qnite 
too  modest  to  enter  alone.  Then  drawing  his  arm  throogh  his  own,  he  led 
"him,  coloring  .and  embarrassed  at  the  novelty  of  the  scene,  to  the  place 
where  Oaptain  Headley  was  still  lingering  with  his  charge.  The  mement 
they  were  near  enough,  the  latter  held  out  her  hand  to  Waunangee,  and  with 
all  the  warmth  of  her  generous  nature,  pressed  that  whicli  he  extended. 
The  young  Indiau  colored  more  deeply  even  than  before — his  hand  trembled 
in  hers — and  the  look  of  thankfulness  which  he  bent  upon  her,  in  return  for 
this  unmistakeable  confldenoe,  had  all  the  touching  melancholy  of  expression 
which  she  had  remarked  in  them  at  their  first  meeting.  Again  a  mingled 
sentiment  of  confusion  and  distrust  snffiised  the  cheek,  and  for  a  moment 
oppressed  the  spirit  of  Maria  Heywood  in  despite  of  herself,  and  she  almost 
wislied  Waunangee  had  not  returned.  The  thought,  however,  was  moment- 
ary. She  felt  the  folly,  the  injustice  of  her  feeungs,  and  anxious  to  atone 
for  them,  she  nervously — almost  convdlsively  grasped  the  hand  of  the 
Indian,  carried  it  to  her  lips,  and  said  in  her  full,  sweet  and  earnest  tones, 
that  he  must  ever  be  her  brother  as  she  would  ever  be  his  sisteir. 

*^And  now,"  said  Oaptain  Headley  to  the  young  officer,  *^  what  reward 
do  you  expect  for  your  maiden  oration !    What  shall  it  be.  Miss  Heywood  V 

**!  will  spare  her  the  trouble  of  an  answer,"  interposed  Ronayne,  as  he 

took  the  arm  which  had  just  disengaged  itself  from  that  of  the  commandant, 

'  and  placed  it  within  his  own,  ^^  until  you'have  set  your  seal  to  the  priceless 

gift,"  and  his  eyes  looked  all  the  intensity  of  his  feeling;  *^I  part  not  with 

It  again." 

**  Every  thing  is  ready  in  the  next  room,"  answered  Oaptain  Headley — 
**  go  in.  When  I  have  announced  that  the  ceremony  is  about  to  take  place, 
I  shall  hasten  to  give  yon  the  dear  girl  for  life,"  and  imprinting  a  kiss  upon 
hor  brow,  he  paued  on  to  those  who  were  paying  their  homage  to  the 
pnnoh-bowlj  and  disonssiug  the  merits  of  the  oration  just  delivered. 

It  was  with  a  flushed  cheek,  and  a  beating  heart  that  Maria  Heywood  was 
led  by  Ronayne,  radiant  with  hope  and  joy,  to  the  little  table  covered  with 
plain,  white  linen,  and  illuminated  by  half  a  dozen  tall  candles,  behind  which 
the  commanding  officer  had  placed  himself  on  an  elevated  estrade. 

All  of  the  guests  were  grouped  around,  a  little  in  the  rear,  while  Lientenant 
Elmsley  stood  on  the  right  hand  of  his  fViend,  and  his  wife  on  the  left  of  the 
betrothed.  Next  to  her,  in  an  arm  chair,  which,  provided  with  rollers,  was 
easily  moved,  Mrs.  Heywood — and  with  her  beautiful  arms  reposing  on  the 
high  bfiok  of  this,  stood  Mrs.  Headley  in  gi*aceful  attitude,  watching  the 


'(' 


• 


TOr.      KAI.i-     yn 


■1  .AtJO. 


99 


oeremony  with  almost  maternal  interest.  Iiiiiiiediat<  ]j  behind  Roaayne, 
from  whom  he  evidently  did  not  like  to  be  Keparated,  stood  Waunangee, 
■with  an  air  of  deep  dejection,  yet  casting  glances  rapidly  from  one  to  the 
other  of  his  two  friends. 

When  the  young  officer,  after  having  formally  received  the  bride  from  her 
mother,  whose  strength  barely  permittod  her  to  rise  and  go  through  that  part 
of  the  ceremony,  proceeded  to  place  the  ring  upon  the  finger  of  Ids  wife,  it 
fell,  either  from  nervousness  or  accident  upon  the  matted  floor.  Quick  as 
thought,  Waunangee,  who  had  now  his  whole  attention  bent  upon  the 
passing  scene,  stooped,  picked  it  up,  and  attempted  to  place  it  on  the  flnger, 
still  extended,  for  which  it  was  designed. 

"Gently,  Waunangee,  my  good  fellow,"  said  the  officer,  piqued  not  less  at 
his  own  awkwardness  at  such  a  moment,  than  at  the  outrS  act  of  the  youth, 
from  whom  he  rather  unceremoniously  took  it — ''  the  husband  only  does 
this." 

'^  Wah  !"  involuntarily  exclaimed  the  other,  his  cheek  becoming  brightei, 
and  his  eyes  kindling  into  sudden  fierceness,  "while  his  hand  intuitively 
clutched  the  handle  of  his  knife — yet  the  mom«nt  afterwards  relinquished  it. 
The  motion  had  been  so  quick,  indeed,  that  only  Mr.  Headley  and  the  bride 
herself  had  noticed  it. 

Still  fascinated  as  it  were  by  the  novel  scene,  Waunangee  moved  not 
away,  but  the  expression  of  his  eyea  had  wholly  changed.  There  was  no 
longer  to  be  remarked  there  the  great  melanoholy  of  the  past — ^bat  the  wild 
restless,  flashing  glance  that  told  of  strong  excitement  within. 

When  immediately  afterwards  they  knelt,  and  had  their  hands  joined  by 
Oaptain  Headley,  Waunangee  bent  eagerly  forward,  as  if  apprehensive  of 
losing  the  slightest  part  of  the  ceremonial,  but  when  at  the  conclusion, 
Bonayne  saluted  his  wife  in  the  usual  manner,  his  cheek  became  suddenly 
pale  as  its  native  hue  would  permit,  and  with  folded  arms  and  proud  attitude 
be. withdrew  slowly  from  the  place  he  had  hitherto  occupied,  to  mingle 
more  with  the  crowd  behind. 

When  Bonayne,  who,  remembering  the  little  incident  of  the  ring,  and  the 
possible  pique  Waunangee  might  feel,  turned  to  look  for  him,  that  he  might 
again  present  his  bride  in  her  new  character,  he  was  no  where  to  be  seen, 
nor  was  he  ever  again  beheld  within  the  precincts  of  that  stockade. 

And  under  thos'^  singular  and  somewhat  omi^  >us  circumstances,  were 
the  long-delayed  nuptiab  of  Harry  Bonayne  and  Maria  Heywood — the 
great  favorites  of  the  garrison — celebrated  to  the  joy  of  all  within  the 
Port  of  Chicago. 


m  no. 


>  i' 


